Updated
Updated · Sportico · Aug 7
DraftKings CEO Says 80%-90% of Prediction Trading Is Professional, Not Peer-to-Peer
Updated
Updated · Sportico · Aug 7

DraftKings CEO Says 80%-90% of Prediction Trading Is Professional, Not Peer-to-Peer

3 articles · Updated · Sportico · Aug 7

Summary

  • 80%-90% of volume on DraftKings’ prediction platform in states with legal online sports betting comes from professional syndicates and institutional traders, Jason Robins said, adding the true share may exceed 90%.
  • Robins argued prediction markets are effectively “peer-to-Wall Street” rather than casual bettor versus casual bettor, warning customers must be told sophisticated model-driven traders usually beat retail users.
  • DraftKings is using that distinction to position legal sportsbooks as the better venue for ordinary bettors, while casting prediction markets as a product dominated by quants and market makers.
  • Robins also criticized rivals for giving liquidity incentives to market makers instead of retail users; DraftKings later said its own rebate program exists but no participant has yet qualified.
  • The comments came after DraftKings’ quarterly report, which kept full-year revenue and EBITDA guidance despite earnings and revenue misses, and sent the stock up about 5% Friday.

Insights

Why is DraftKings attacking rival prediction markets just as it launches its own competitive trading product?
Are casual bettors unknowingly funding Wall Street algorithms on popular prediction platforms?
Could exposing the dominance of professional traders trigger a fatal regulatory crackdown on the prediction industry?