The NBA has opted to embrace prediction markets, while seeking a say in what markets they offer. The league announced Kalshi and Polymarket as “preferred” prediction market partners and DraftKings as an “authorized” prediction market operator.
The league announced the partnerships Monday via press release.
As official partners, Kalshi and Polymarket will be allowed to use NBA intellectual properties such as team logos and will gain access to official league data from Sportradar, as well as “marketing rights and promotional activations.”
The DraftKings partnership is an expansion of the NBA’s existing sportsbook partnershp with the business.
Market limitations part of deal
Kalshi, Polymarket, and DraftKings have agreed to certain integrity protections as part of the deal, including limitations on what markets may be offered.
“Protecting the integrity of the game is our top priority,” Scott Kaufman-Ross, NBA head of media distribution & partnerships, said via press release. “As this category develops, we believe it is important to work constructively with regulators and operators to help ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place. These partnerships represent an important step in establishing a framework that creates new opportunities to engage our fans.”
In addition, the NBA and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) “intended to protect the integrity of professional basketball in prediction markets.” Under that agreement, the CFTC and NBA will communicate on integrity-related topics and share information about potentially suspicious betting.
“I’m pleased the CFTC and NBA signed an MOU which continues the Commission’s commitment to increasing data sharing between the agency and professional sports leagues,” CFTC Chairman Michael Selig said. Selig added that the NBA is joining the MLB and NHL in taking steps to safeguard sports integrity and market participants from misconduct, including insider trading.
“I thank NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for putting the integrity of professional basketball and America’s financial markets first and for working with the CFTC on this MOU.”
NBA season started last week
The agreement comes days after the 2026-27 NBA season tipped off. Kalshi’s volume on basketball straight bets has averaged more than $100 million per day since the season began last Tuesday, with more staked on parlays that included basketball legs.
“Announcing our partnership with the NBA is a significant milestone,” Kalshi Head of Sports Partnerships Adam Barrick said. “The relationship we’ve built together reflects a shared mindset that prioritizes fan engagement, innovation and safety. We believe in markets that are fair, safe, and open — it’s why millions of people are coming to Kalshi to trade with nationwide consumer protections. It’s an exciting time for both NBA fans and Kalshi users.”
On Polymarket US, basketball straight bet volume has averaged more than $35 million per day.
“The NBA is one of the most influential sports leagues in the world, and we’re excited to work together to bring fans closer to the game,” Polymarket President of Sports Business Development Ari Borod said. “This partnership will allow our customers to engage more deeply with the game of basketball on Polymarket. We look forward to partnering with the NBA on establishing a safe, transparent prediction market ecosystem for everyone.”
Only NFL remains without a deal
The NBA is the third of the four major U.S. sports league to partner with prediction markets, leaving only the NFL without a deal. The NHL agreed to a partnership with Kalshi and Polymarket in October 2025, and MLB signed its deal with Polymarket this March.
The NFL still seems far from a prediction market partnership, having submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court earlier this month arguing that sports event contracts would be better regulated by states instead of the CFTC.
