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(AsiaGameHub) –   A recent report by Bank of America indicates that prediction market platforms are positioned to access a substantial opportunity in the United States, with annual trading volume for sports-related event contracts potentially hitting $1.1 trillion in the future.

Kalshi Dominance Fuels Surge in US Prediction Market Growth

This projection speaks to the market’s long-term potential rather than near-term results. As reported by Bloomberg, analysts expect total contract activity in 2026 will be closer to $100 billion, indicating the considerable expansion still to come. Nonetheless, the long-range forecast suggests a sector that will grow to compete with conventional sports betting.

The report states that if platforms charge average fees of approximately 1%, the forecasted volume could result in $10 billion in annual revenue. This amount positions prediction markets alongside major online sportsbooks, emphasizing their increasing influence in the gambling industry.

A primary force behind this growth is the emergence of platforms such as Kalshi, which holds a dominant position in the US prediction-market industry. The exchange is believed to represent roughly 90% of domestic activity, and sports-related contracts have constituted four-fifths of its trading volume lately. Other competitors currently hold only a minor market share.

Prediction platforms function more similarly to financial exchanges than traditional sportsbooks. Prices are set by user demand instead of fixed odds, and participants are able to trade positions. This model is attractive to seasoned bettors who might encounter restrictions or betting limits on standard wagering sites.

Regulation Gap Helps Prediction Platforms Expand Nationwide

Regulation presents another significant benefit. Prediction markets are subject to federal oversight, enabling them to provide contracts across the entire country. Conversely, sports betting is regulated on a state-by-state basis and is not legalized in several key markets. This wider reach provides prediction platforms with a major advantage in acquiring new users.

Demographic considerations are also highlighted in the report. Numerous prediction platforms permit participation from users aged 18 and above, which broadens their potential user base compared to sportsbooks that mandate customers be at least 21 years old. Analysts point out that younger users are instrumental in generating industry revenues.

The cost structure offers another point of differentiation. Operators of prediction markets do not face the same state-level gaming taxes that sportsbooks do, taxes which can take a large share of revenue. This enables them to function with reduced overhead and provide more competitive pricing. In spite of the positive growth forecast, the industry continues to encounter legal hurdles. A number of states have tried to limit prediction markets, contending they are akin to unlicensed gambling. Simultaneously, federal regulators are maintaining their jurisdiction over the sector, which may lead to additional legal disputes.