DraftKings Expands Predictions With Player-Specific Markets, Crypto.com Deal
DraftKings is expanding its Predictions product with player-specific markets through a new partnership with Crypto.com.
DraftKings is expanding its Predictions product to include player-specific outcome markets, marking another step into the rapidly evolving prediction-style wagering space and deepening its partnership with Crypto.com.
The update allows users to make picks on individual player performances, such as whether a player will score, record a certain stat, or achieve a specific in-game milestone, within a free-to-play framework that differs from traditional sportsbook wagering.
DraftKings says the expansion is designed to boost fan engagement while operating outside the regulatory structure governing real-money sports betting.
What DraftKings Is Launching
The enhanced Predictions product introduces athlete-specific markets tied to major sporting events, including professional football and basketball.
Key features include:
- Player-focused outcome questions
- No real-money wagering required
- Rewards issued through digital prizes and promotional incentives
- Integration within the DraftKings app ecosystem
DraftKings positions Predictions as an engagement-first product, allowing fans to interact with live sports outcomes without placing traditional bets.
The Role of Crypto.com
The expanded Predictions offering is being rolled out through a partnership with Crypto.com, which will sponsor select markets and promotional components tied to the product.
Under the agreement:
- Crypto.com branding will appear within DraftKings Predictions
- The partnership focuses on fan engagement, not wagering
- No crypto assets are required to participate
Both companies framed the partnership as a way to merge sports fandom with emerging digital engagement tools, without introducing direct financial risk to users.
Why Player-Specific Markets Matter
Player-specific prediction markets have become a sensitive topic across the sports betting and regulatory landscape.
Unlike team-based outcomes, player props:
- Are closely scrutinized by leagues
- Raise integrity and insider-information concerns
- Have been restricted or removed in some jurisdictions
DraftKings’ use of player-specific markets within a non-wagering Predictions format allows the company to offer similar engagement without triggering the same regulatory requirements as real-money prop betting.
Strategic Context: Predictions vs. Betting
The expansion comes as operators explore alternatives to traditional wagering amid:
- Increased regulatory scrutiny
- Rising customer acquisition costs
- Competition from federally regulated prediction markets
DraftKings has emphasized that Predictions is not a sportsbook product, but rather a fan engagement tool designed to:
- Drive app usage
- Keep users active between bets
- Complement, not replace, real-money wagering
Industry analysts see this as a hedge against regulatory uncertainty and shifting consumer behavior.
Regulatory Considerations
DraftKings’ Predictions product operates under promotional and contest rules, rather than state sports betting laws.
That distinction is important as:
- Regulators debate the boundaries of prediction-style products
- States reexamine player prop betting rules
- New entrants challenge traditional gambling definitions
By keeping Predictions free-to-play, DraftKings avoids many licensing and taxation requirements while still offering outcome-based interaction.
Market Reaction and Industry Impact
The move highlights how established sportsbooks are adapting to a more fragmented wagering environment.
Key takeaways for the industry:
- Operators are experimenting beyond standard bets
- Engagement products are becoming strategic priorities
- Prediction-style formats are influencing sportsbook design
While Predictions currently represents a small share of DraftKings’ overall business, it reflects broader experimentation across the sector.
What Happens Next
DraftKings has indicated that additional Prediction features could roll out over time, depending on user engagement and regulatory clarity.
Areas to watch include:
- Expansion into additional sports
- New reward mechanisms
- Further brand partnerships
The company has not announced plans to introduce real-money wagering into Predictions.
Why This Matters
DraftKings’ expansion shows how sportsbooks are borrowing elements from prediction markets while staying within established regulatory lines.
As the boundary between betting, gaming, and financial-style predictions continues to blur, products like Predictions may become an increasingly important part of how operators engage fans, especially during marquee sporting events.
Bottom Line
DraftKings is expanding its Predictions product with player-specific markets and a new Crypto.com partnership, signaling continued experimentation with non-wagering engagement tools.
The move underscores how sportsbooks are adapting to regulatory pressure and competition by offering alternative ways for fans to interact with sports outcomes.
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