Independent research · Updated October 4, 2026

Understand, compare and choose prediction markets and sweepstakes casinos

We read the fee schedules, sweepstakes rules, court opinions and state laws so you don't have to. Every fact is sourced and dated, and payment never decides a ranking.

Prediction markets

Trade on real-world outcomes

Federally regulated exchanges where you buy yes-or-no contracts on sports, politics, economics and more. Prices work like probabilities, and fees differ more than most people expect.

Sweepstakes casinos

Play with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins

Casino-style sites that run under sweepstakes rules instead of a state casino licence. The free-entry rules, redemption minimums and state bans matter more than the welcome offer.

Is it available in your state?

Two-letter code or state name. Facts verified October 4, 2026. Not legal advice.

Full state-by-state detail with sources: prediction market legal tracker · sweepstakes casino legal tracker

Latest news

All news
Prediction markets · Regulatory update

Judge Partly Blocks Illinois Prediction-Market Law for Kalshi

A federal judge in Chicago barred Illinois from enforcing its sports-wagering licensing and criminal rules against Kalshi-listed contracts. The fight over the state's new tax continues.

Prediction markets at a glance

Full comparison
  1. Offer
    Referral credits for new users (amount shown in your account)Confirmed on operator site
    Fees
    ≈ 0.07 × P(1−P) per contract (taker)
    Regulation
    CFTC exchange (DCM)
    Markets
    Sports, Politics, Economics, Weather
    Availability
    Limited in MA, MI, NV, UT, WA
  2. Offer
    $25 trading credit when you deposit $10 or moreConfirmed on operator site
    Fees
    0.0695 × P(1−P) taker; maker rebate
    Regulation
    CFTC exchange + clearinghouse
    Markets
    Sports, Politics, Crypto, Economics
    Availability
    Limited in NV
  3. Offer
    No verified offer
    Fees
    ≤ 1¢ commission + ≤ 1¢ exchange fee
    Regulation
    CFTC-registered broker (FCM)
    Markets
    Sports, Politics, Weather, Commodities
    Availability
    Limited in MD, MI, NV

Data from each operator's official terms and regulatory filings. Oldest check here: October 4, 2026. Offers and availability change often, so confirm on the operator's site before you sign up.

Sweepstakes casinos at a glance

Full comparison
  1. Offer
    Sign-up bonus: 20,000 GC + 1 SC, no purchase neededReported, not yet confirmed on operator site
    Free entry
    3 SC per handwritten mail-in request
    Min. redemption
    20 SC (gift card) / 50 SC (cash)
    Playthrough
    At least 1x; the rules allow up to 30x
    Excluded states
    AZ, CA, CT, DE, ID, IN, LA, ME, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, OK, TN, WA, WV
  2. Offer
    Sign-up bonus: up to 120,000 GC + 10 SC, no purchase neededConfirmed on operator site
    Free entry
    5 SC per handwritten mail-in request with a unique mail code
    Min. redemption
    50 SC
    Playthrough
    Set by the operator (the rules give 2x as an example)
    Excluded states
    CA, CT, DE, ID, IL, IN, LA, ME, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, TN, WA
  3. Offer
    Welcome deal: 200 spins on Billionaire's Bank for $9.99 (purchase)Confirmed on operator site
    Free entry
    3 SC per mail-in request
    Min. redemption
    100 SC (cash) / 50 SC (non-cash prizes)
    Playthrough
    At least 1x; more at the operator's discretion
    Excluded states
    AZ, CA, CT, DE, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, PA, RI, TN, WA, WV

Data from each operator's official terms and regulatory filings, and labelled offer reports. Oldest check here: October 4, 2026. Offers and availability change often, so confirm on the operator's site before you sign up.

How we work

Methodology

Primary sources first

We rely on CFTC records, court opinions, state statutes and operators' own terms, and every page lists its sources with the date we checked them.

Dated facts

Offers, fees and legal status show when they were last verified. We re-check legal trackers weekly and offers every one to two weeks.

Rankings you can audit

Our criteria are published. Affiliate relationships are disclosed and never change an editorial ranking.

No invented details

If we cannot confirm something in an official source, we say "not verified" instead of guessing.