In a bold step toward merging sports betting with Web3 innovation, DraftKings has acquired prediction market startup Railbird. This move sets the stage for the launch of a dedicated prediction market platform — a growing niche within both crypto and online gambling sectors.
Prediction markets allow users to bet on real-world outcomes such as elections, sports events, or even financial markets. With rising interest in decentralized betting and verifiable outcomes, DraftKings is positioning itself to capture a new segment of engaged, data-savvy users.
Polymarket Chosen as Clearinghouse Partner
To power this new platform, DraftKings has partnered with Polymarket, one of the leading decentralized prediction markets. Polymarket will serve as the clearinghouse, ensuring the integrity and transparency of all bets placed through DraftKings’ upcoming platform.
Polymarket has built a reputation for offering fast-settling, data-driven prediction markets on major world events. Its collaboration with DraftKings signals a significant milestone — bridging regulated betting platforms with blockchain-based infrastructure.
This partnership is especially notable as it shows how mainstream gaming companies are now leveraging Web3 solutions to enhance trust, automation, and transparency.
A New Frontier for Crypto x Betting
The integration of Polymarket into DraftKings’ ecosystem could signal broader acceptance of blockchain-powered betting. While DraftKings already holds a dominant position in the traditional sports betting market, this venture allows it to experiment with decentralized prediction tech without fully building from scratch.
By using Polymarket’s backend and keeping the user-facing experience under its own brand, DraftKings could offer a seamless onboarding experience for users unfamiliar with crypto — while still benefiting from the transparency and efficiency of Web3 tech.
This move could reshape how regulated platforms think about betting markets, opening the door for more hybrid models that combine compliance with decentralization.