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US prediction markets expand promos amid regulatory pressure

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-07-31 17:34 UTC → 2026-08-01 12:42 UTC · added removed

The July 2026 promo surge that began in mid‑July continued into late July. On through the month. After the July 20 sportsbooks and prediction‑market platforms rolled out additional rollout of MLB‑focused offers: Polymarket released multiple bonus codes for the Tigers‑Cubs and Dodgers‑Phillies games; DraftKings promoted a $5 wager for a $150 bonus pool; BetMGM advertised state‑specific first‑bet guarantees and $150 bonuses; and OG offered a $10‑for‑$10 match offers across more than 40 states. several platforms, Kalshi extended its sports‑event contracts, adding added a market suite of referral codes on the June 20 Athletics‑Diamondbacks game and reiterating its $10 new‑user bonus for accounts funded with at least $20 and 100 contracts traded. On July 23 Kalshi launched a broader set of referral codes—including ALCOM, MLIVE, OREGONLIVE1, SILIVE, SYRACUSE, MASSLIVE1—granting users who trade a minimum $25 a bonus credit ranging from $15 to $500. The promos are tied to upcoming events such as NBA futures after LeBron James’ move to the Philadelphia 76ers, UFC Fight Night (Ankalaev vs. Guskov), MLB matchups (Yankees‑Phillies, Mets‑Dodgers), the futures, UFC, PGA 3M Open and the WNBA All‑Star 3‑point contest. Kalshi reported that the NBA futures market alone generated over events, reporting $228 million in trading volume following the LeBron announcement. A week later, on NBA futures volume. On July 29, 29 Kalshi introduced two additional codes—ALCOM new codes, ALCOM and SYRACUSE—offering up to $500 in SYRACUSE, granting first‑time traders a randomly assigned bonus credit on of $15, $35, $75, $100 or $500, with the larger awards limited to a random‑distribution basis. Eligible users must verify their account, fund it and place at least $25 in trades within 30 days; few percent of users; the credit must be used in a trade within seven days. The promotion targets SEC football championship futures and MLB games matchups such as Yankees‑Cubs and Mets‑Marlins. These expansions occur alongside ongoing regulatory scrutiny, including the July 21 Regulatory pressure intensified. A Washington state injunction against Kalshi, highlighting on July 21 restricted Kalshi’s operations, and on July 31 New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit alleging the platform conducts unlicensed gambling. The complaint seeks forfeiture of profits, consumer restitution and civil penalties up to three times Kalshi’s gains—potentially $36 billion. Kalshi contends it is a federally regulated CFTC‑overseen exchange and has asked to move the case to federal court, framing the state action as political theater. The developments illustrate the tension between rapid promotional growth expansion and heightened enforcement pressure. escalating legal challenges across multiple states.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-01 12:42 UTC US prediction markets expand promos amid regulatory pressure
  2. 2026-07-31 17:34 UTC US prediction markets expand promos amid regulatory pressure

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