The same federal framework that regulates the Chicago Mercantile Exchange also licenses Kalshi, Polymarket, and a handful of other platforms to operate in Washington state. These aren’t sportsbooks. They’re designated contract markets where traders take positions on outcomes — Seahawks spreads, Senate race probabilities, Fed rate decisions, box office returns — the same way an investor buys and sells futures contracts.
Kalshi, Polymarket, FanDuel Predicts, and DraftKings Predictions are all open to Washington residents right now — with sign-up bonuses still available on most. If you want the deepest markets on the Seahawks, the open Senate race, or the Mariners’ playoff odds, Kalshi is the place to start. FanDuel Predicts is the pick for sports-focused traders who want a familiar interface. This guide breaks down what each platform offers, how to claim your bonus, and what the AG’s lawsuit against Kalshi means for your account.
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Delay on new Polymarket US accounts being approved
What are prediction markets?
Prediction markets are federally regulated exchanges where traders buy and sell contracts on the outcome of what’s happening in the real-world. Each contract asks a yes or no question — will this happen by a specific date? — and is priced between $0.01 and $0.99, with the price reflects the market’s collective probability of that particular event happening. A contract trading at $0.65 means the crowd gives it a 65% chance of happening. If it does, the contract pays $1. If it doesn’t, it settles at zero.
Though prediction markets have made mainstream news for the sports events, it goes well beyond this topic. Traders can take positions on Federal Reserve rate decisions, election outcomes, box office results, crypto price targets, and much more. A market could ask whether Cooper Kupp will record at least five receptions in a particular game, or whether the Fed will cut rates at its next meeting — the mechanics are identical.
Positions can be opened for as little as a single cent. There is no house setting the odds — prices are determined entirely by traders on the open order book, and the exchanges have no interest in which way any market settles.
Top prediction market apps in Washington
While some platforms like OG are unavailable in Washington, people in the state otherwise have access to the most popular and reputable exchanges online. These options include markets with massive liquidity and strong brand recognition.
| App | Markets | Welcome offer | Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
Kalshi | Trade $10, Get $10 Free | DEFI | |
Polymarket | Get $20 with exclusive code RATE | RATE | |
OG Predictions | $100 Profit Boost (up to $20/day) | Not required, use exclusive link | |
DraftKings | Trade $5, Get $50 in Prediction dollars | No promo code required | |
Fanatics | Trade match bonus of up to $75 | No code required |
Kalshi: The number one legal app in Washington
Washington availability: ✓
Kalshi is a top choice for Washingtonians because of the extent of the liquidity on its markets and the variety of contracts available. Washington residents might have particular interests in markets related to Washington-specific political developments and contracts involving Washington athletes or sports teams.
Because of Kalshi’s market-leading position, it has been a target for many government agents and bodies interested in restricting its business. That means bettors in Washington should keep an eye on news updates concerning Kalshi.
Polymarket
Washington availability: ✓
Polymarket is a popular exchange on a global basis and its operations in the United States have been fraught at times. Polymarket reached a settlement with the United States Commodity and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) that allowed it to allow trading in the country on a limited basis.
As part of that settlement, Polymarket can only offer contracts based on sporting events. People interested in Polymarket should also note that the only currency Polymarket accepts for trades is the USD Stablecoin as well.
Polymarket is still attractive as an exchange because of its tremendous liquidity volume. It also boasts financial backing from the Intercontinental Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.
FanDuel Predicts
Washington availability: ✓
People in Washington who have played daily fantasy sports online with FanDuel are likely familiar with the brand, but FanDuel Predicts is a completely separate product from the company. People who have active DFS accounts with FanDuel cannot use a shared wallet with FanDuel Predicts.
Regardless, FanDuel Predicts brings the company’s sports expertise plus contracts on many other aspects of entertainment like industry awards. FanDuel Predicts does not yet have the same level of liquidity as some of the competition on many markets, though.
DraftKings Predictions
Washington availability: ✓
DFS fans have likely also played with DraftKings. Again, DraftKings Predictions is a separate product from DraftKings, which means that there is no shared app that DraftKings DFS account holders can utilize.
DraftKings launched DraftKings Predictions to compete in the emergent space and its product does exactly that. Although liquidity can be lesser, the choices of markets are respectable, with plenty of options like contracts based on financial news.
Are prediction markets legal in Washington state?
Yes. For now. Prediction markets like those listed above are regulated by the CFTC as derivatives under the federal Commodity Exchange Act. Washington has a regulatory structure for gambling that co-exists with this federal regulation and that has caused some friction with officials in the state.
In December 2025, the Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) issued a public notice characterizing prediction markets as unauthorized under state law. In the notice, the WSGC emphasized that the only authorized sports wagering inside Washington’s borders according to state law takes place on the premises of land-based tribal casinos.
On March 27, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown sued Kalshi in state court. Brown asked the court to declare online prediction market trading illegal in the state and ban the practice.
For that reason, gaming licensees who work with prediction markets might be risking their licensure status in Washington. Pending court cases could also impact the future of prediction markets there.
Getting started: how to open an account from Washington
Washingtonians can try prediction markets for themselves in four simple steps. These CFTC-regulated exchanges have similar processes for account registration and funds addition.
- Pick an app: Kalshi is a fantastic choice for people looking for the greatest variety of market and volume of liquidity. If you have a brokerage account with Robinhood, using that exchange is an easy transition as well.
- Verify your identity: Before you can trade, you must substantiate your age and identity. This process involves providing the exchange with your date of birth, email address, legal name, mailing address, Social Security Number, and telephone number. While this is normally done in just a few minutes, it can take days to confirm your registration, especially if you need to provide supporting documentation like a government-issued identification document.
- Fund your account: Common funding sources include ACH transfers, debit cards, and digital wallets. Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages compared to the others in terms of prediction market usage. For example, ACH transfers carry lower costs than debit cards but debit card payments typically process faster. Users should also note that Polymarket only accepts the USD Stablecoin and that some of these exchanges pay interest in uninvested cash balances.
- Start with what you know: Once you are registered and have deposited funds, browse for markets related to events that you are familiar with. As you are learning, you can trade conservatively as well, with contracts available for as little as a single cent.
Washington prediction market bonuses
DFS players in Washington may have experience with welcome offers on those platforms. Prediction market bonuses have some similarities with these promotions.
While prediction market bonuses tend to have smaller values compared to DFS introductory offers, prediction market bonuses also usually are not subject to as stringent expiration terms and playthrough requirements. You might also be able to get interest on your balance on an events contract exchange, something that DFS sites don’t offer.
Top Pick
K Kalshi
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Best Bonus
OG OG Predictions
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US sports
P Polymarket
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DK DraftKings
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F Fanatics
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compare | |||||
Welcome Bonus
| Trade $10, Get $10 Free | $100 Profit Boost (up to $20/day) | Get $20 with exclusive code RATE | Trade $5, Get $50 in Prediction dollars | Trade match bonus of up to $75 |
Promo code
| DEFI | Automatically Applied | RATE | Automatically Applied | Automatically Applied |
Bonus Type
| Trade Bonus | Profit Boost | Trade Bonus | Trade Bonus | Trade Match |
Payout Speed
| 1 to 4 Days | Instant | Instant | 1 to 3 Days | Instant |
Min Deposit
| $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 |
DeFiRate Rating
| |||||
How trading works on Washington prediction markets
Prediction markets cover diverse interests for bettors. Some of these contracts will be of particular interest to people in Washington.
- Crypto: Price targets for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are common market options. While OG is a popular exchange for these types of contracts, OG does not allow people in Washington to trade on its platform.
- Economics: Washington residents can find markets for interest rate decisions from the federal reserve, updates in the Consumer Price Index, unemployment reports, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) statistics. A great exchange for these contracts is Polymarket.
- Entertainment: If you want to bet on the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, reality television, or movie theater box office returns, you’ll find those options on exchanges like DraftKings Predictions. It’s important to note that these markets may only be available for a short time and they tend to carry less liquidity than contracts in other categories, though.
- Politics and elections: The markets in this regard include national races and policy outcomes in addition to some Washington-specific political futures. Hotly contested Congressional elections and the race for one of Washington’s US Senate seats highlight those local events available for wagering on Kalshi in 2026.
- Sports: People interested in events that the Cougars, Huskies, Kraken, Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders, and Storm participate in will find relevant markets on apps like FanDuel Predicts. Future options might include whether the NBA will return to Seattle. Global sporting events of all kinds comprise other choices.
Sports prediction markets vs. Washington sports betting
If you’re interested in trading on sports and you’re in Washington, you have two regulated options. Those are visiting physical tribal casinos with sportsbooks or trading event contracts on a CFTC-licensed exchange online.
| Feature | Prediction Sports | Tribal Sports Betting |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets the odds | Users | Sportsbooks |
| Odds format | Percentage | American |
| Offers Elections | Yes | No |
| Offers Sports | Yes | Yes |
| Offers S&P | Yes | No |
| Minimum age | 18 | Varies based on tribal body |
| Can exit position | Yes | Depends on house rules mid-event |
| Prop market depth | Robust | Depends on book’s interest |
| Funding methods | ACH payments, credit cards, cryptocurrencies | Mostly cash, but some debit cards; casinos may accept digital wallets and other approved payment forms |
As in Washington, gaming regulatory bodies across many states have raised objections to the offerings of prediction markets, especially in regard to contracts based on sporting events. From their perspective and the perspective of tribal gaming authorities, prediction markets are peeling off action that they might otherwise be taking.
There are multiple federal court cases ongoing that might alter the status quo for prediction markets in places like Washington. The US Congress is also considering legislation covering event contracts.
Barring significant action from Congress or the US Supreme Court, though, substantial alterations are unlikely. At this time, the only vehicle toward that end would be new regulations from the CFTC.
The preemption fight and what it means for Washington traders
The WSGC has made its stance that prediction markets are not authorized by state law clear. However, the WSGC also acknowledged in that statement that federal law generally preempts state statutes and the courts will decide the future of event contract offerings online.
Among those cases are appeals currently before the US Third Circuit and Fourth Circuit, regarding disputes that originated in Maryland and New Jersey. Another of particular note for Washingtonians is a lawsuit that is currently going through the process in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
That is of special relevance for people in Washington because the Ninth Circuit’s jurisdiction covers the state. In that dispute, Kalshi has sought injunctive relief against Nevada authorities looking to ban its sports-based contracts in that state.
At the time of this writing, the Ninth has denied an emergency stay, although further hearings are pending. The CFTC has weighed in on that matter, submitting an amicus brief in support of Kalshi.
Meanwhile, Brown’s lawsuit against Kalshi in state courts could go through the appeals process and become cause for further action at the federal level. If the federal ppellate courts issue contradicting opinions, the US Supreme Court may take up an appeal of one of the outstanding cases.
Unless Congress changes the laws on the books prior to a Supreme Court decision, those justices will likely determine to what extent federal preemption applies in this context. That resolution could take years, though.
Tax treatment: prediction markets in Washington
Washington residents are not subject to a state income tax but do pay federal taxes on their income. The Internal Revenue Service treats capital gains as a separate form of income with different rates, allowing for up to $3,000 in net losses to offset ordinary income.
People who trade on prediction markets are best off consulting with a tax professional to ensure they have reported their activity correctly on their income tax returns and made any necessary payments. That applies in all states, including Washington.
Conclusion
Although there are outstanding legal matters that could alter the status quo in the future, the current situation for prediction markets in Washington is advantageous for people in the state who want an option to trade online in a regulated format. Washingtonians can enjoy these exchanges in addition to visiting tribal casinos for other forms of entertainment.
Brown’s litigation against Kalshi could carry a significant amount of weight in terms of defining what types of markets Washingtonians can buy positions in as well as help shape cases at the federal level. For those reasons, Washington bettors should watch for developments related to prediction markets.
Know before you trade
Any trading carries a level of risk, as any contract can zero out on prediction market platforms. Even though the WSGC has taken no enforcement action against any exchanges, it’s best for Washingtonians to be aware of the body’s stance on prediction markets.
Platforms provide users with responsible trading resources like customizable limits free of charge. People looking for more information on safer wagering can consult the National Council on Problem Gambling and the WSGC for more information.