What Are Sports Betting Markets? Bet Types Explained

Entrepreneurs like the founders of Kalshi and Polymarket recognized that any event, including sports, could be bought and sold in the same way and regulated by the CFTC. Unlike state-regulated sports-betting services, prediction markets are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), a federal agency that oversees futures contracts. The companies make money via commissions and transaction fees, which means they are motivated to see a bigger volume of trades, but do not have a vested interest in the outcome of an event. While the user won’t notice any major differences from sports betting on the front end, this means the marketplace itself (i.e., companies like Kalshi or Polymarket) is not on the other side of the contract. The exchanges provide a marketplace between buyers and sellers and, along with a clearing house, ensure the legitimacy of both parties and oversee the payout of the contract.

Even if it’s not going to be the highest-volume market or highest revenue-producing market, if we think there is interesting or pertinent information to be gleaned from it, we’ll list it. The two companies gained wider awareness for allowing people to put money down predicting presidential elections, but sports predictions have been critical to their growth and to the number of companies entering the space. Broadly, prediction markets are exchanges, like stock markets, where people bet on the outcomes of future events. For operators, success is not about offering as many markets as possible, but about offering the right ones. However, it also requires strong infrastructure, including low-latency data feeds, fast odds calculation, and precise risk management. These betting markets offer strong margin potential and add depth to the overall offering.

James Bisson • Head of Content, Betting 16+ years betting experience

Politicians from both parties have objected to prediction markets operating in their states, for opposite reasons. The sudden surge came with the change in presidential administrations, which is crucial because prediction markets are regulated via a federal commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). But in the United States, if you call something gambling, it subjects that activity to a different set of rules governed by individual states that choose which forms of gambling they allow. Prediction market company Kalshi reported that it saw over $1 billion in trading volume on the event, which helped set a daily record for the company and was 27 times higher than Super Bowl activity last year. At this year’s Super Bowl, prediction markets had their biggest single day ever. NRL player props are currently available from select AU bookmakers, including Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, TAB, Pointsbet and Betr

You’ll find great moneyline odds, along with other fight betting markets like “Method of Victory”, over/under a set number of rounds, or how many punches each fighter will land. The MLB season spans several months, offering numerous games for betting enthusiasts. If you want to get in on the action, make sure you check our rankings of the best March Madness betting sites. Bettors have many betting markets available with football, including moneylines, point spreads, totals (over/under), and player prop bets. A diverse selection of betting markets enhances the overall betting experience, allowing you to explore different wagering options and tailor your bets to your preferences.

In contrast, retail sportsbooks might have limited offerings, particularly in states with restrictive sports betting laws. Online platforms offer diverse sports and events, allowing bettors to explore many betting opportunities, including traditional bets, prop bets, futures, and live betting options. Sports betting sites typically provide a wide range of betting options and markets compared to retail sportsbooks. Users can access the platform from any internet-enabled device, making it easy to place bets from the comfort of their homes or on the go. That brings the total to almost 35 states accepting online bets, with another seven states currently offering only retail sports betting. Additionally, prediction markets have become available nationwide, unlocking a slew of great prediction market promos.

TheScore Bet started as the betting arm of theScore, the sports media app that roughly four million people across North America use for scores and news. For the better betting site in 2026, I’d give DraftKings the slight edge for overall betting depth and promo reliability, but Fanatics is strong if you value long-term rewards. With deep market coverage across all major sports, daily odds boosts, and hassle-free withdrawals, it’s a top choice for both casual fans and sharp bettors. DraftKings delivers a best-in-class betting experience powered by lightning-fast payouts, a seamless mobile app, and an industry-leading same-game parlay builder. Our Fanatics Sportsbook review provides an extensive look into this operator and its latest welcome offer, unlocked with Fanatics Sportsbook promo code COVERS350. It spent the better part of the next year migrating customers over to its revamped platform.

When prices move after a goal, injury, pitching change, or lineup update, FanDuel gives you a short path from market to ticket. The layout is clean, the main markets are easy to find, and the app does a good job surfacing popular bet types without crowding the page. If offshore sportsbooks you like betting after the game starts, that setup is made for you.

Additionally, the early cash-out option lets users settle bets before the event concludes, allowing for risk management and potential profits. However, addressing some drawbacks, such as the poor user interface and a somewhat uncreative product offering, is essential. BetRivers Sportsbook is a platform that has garnered attention for several notable features, including its robust casino options and quality live betting selection. For casino games, check out DraftKings Casino promo code. DraftKings Sportsbook is known for its daily promos and odds boosts that keep the betting experience exciting at all times.