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NCAA opens door for college athletes to bet on pro sports
DraftKings enters prediction market with Railbird deal
States report record handles as sports betting surges
America’s sports betting landscape is changing rapidly. College athletes are gaining new betting freedoms, major moves by DraftKings are happening, and state revenues are booming. The industry is evolving faster than regulators can keep up.
NCAA Rule Change Redefines Boundaries
In a landmark decision, the NCAA will now allow college athletes and athletic department employees to place bets on professional sports starting November 1. While wagering on college contests remains strictly prohibited, this rule marks a significant policy shift following the widespread legalization of sports betting across the United States.
Supporters argue the update brings modern changes to outdated restrictions, connecting college sports with a regulated betting environment that already includes professional leagues. Critics warn that mixing amateur and professional gambling could introduce integrity risks and greater public scrutiny for programs already facing intense financial and competitive pressures.
The NCAA’s decision reflects the growing acceptance of betting culture in American sports. With college athletes now able to participate in certain wagers, universities will need to balance personal freedom with the responsibility to maintain competition integrity.
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DraftKings Expands Into Prediction Markets
DraftKings has acquired Railbird Technologies, marking its entry into the fast-growing world of prediction markets. The company plans to incorporate prediction-based games into its platform, moving beyond traditional sports wagers. This will allow users to forecast outcomes across sports, politics, and entertainment.
This acquisition comes as DraftKings faces increasing competition from both established sportsbooks and new blockchain-based platforms. The company aims to attract younger audiences who are interested in interactive, low-stakes prediction products that resemble social gaming.
Industry analysts say this expansion positions DraftKings for further growth as the boundary between financial markets, gaming, and entertainment continues to fade. It also indicates how sportsbooks are adjusting to a more sophisticated consumer base that expects more than just odds and parlays.
NHL and the Rise of Prediction Platforms
The National Hockey League has moved into new territory by licensing its brand to prediction market operators, showing its willingness to embrace a broader betting ecosystem beyond traditional sportsbooks. Deals with emerging platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket suggest that the NHL values audience engagement tools built around speculative markets.
This development increases competition for major sportsbooks, which now face new rivals offering decentralized or event-based betting products. Analysts believe that these alternative platforms could disrupt the norm by enabling faster, lower-cost wagering structures tied to live data feeds.
State Betting Revenues Hit New Highs
State-level data highlight the industry’s rapid growth. Virginia reported over $510 million in wagers during August, its strongest month since legalization, while Kentucky celebrated two years of regulated sports betting with strong tax receipts and improved oversight.
Governors and regulators in several states credit responsible gaming programs and digital accessibility for this ongoing growth. However, they also warn that this expansion must be balanced with protections against problem gambling as new demographics, including younger fans, enter the betting economy.
The New Era of Regulated Risk
These developments signal a key moment for U.S. sports betting. Institutional acceptance, corporate innovation, and record revenues are changing how Americans interact with sports and how regulators respond.
The NCAA’s policy shift, DraftKings’ diversification, and state-level momentum all indicate a future where betting is not just an accessory to sports, but a core part of its economy. The challenge now is to manage this growth responsibly while preserving the spirit of competition.