In a move that screams “we literally copy-pasted the press release,” the National Hockey League has crowned both Polymarket and Kalshi as its official prediction market partners—in simultaneous, multi-year deals that read like corporate fanfiction written by the same intern. Yes, you read that right: the NHL just signed two “market leaders” to the exact same perks, down to the Digitally Enhanced Dasherboards and blue-line virtual signage. Because nothing says “exclusive” like splitting the ice in half.This isn’t partnership. This is regulatory hedging dressed up as innovation. And the irony? The two platforms spent the last 18 months suing each other, lobbying Congress, and publicly accusing the other of being a “glorified sportsbook in a prediction-market Halloween costume.” Now? They’re sharing the NHL’s logo like divorced parents co-hosting a birthday party.

The Deals: Identical Twins Separated at Press Release

polymarket kalshi nhl prediction partnership

Keith Wachtel, NHL Chief Business Officer, called it “broadest fan engagement.” Translation: “We don’t care who wins the prediction war – as long as we get paid twice.”

The Sarcastic Paradox: “Market Leaders” or Just the Last Two Standing?

Here’s the punchline: Polymarket and Kalshi are two dominating event contract platforms. PredictIt got kneecapped by the CFTC in 2023. Iowa Electronic Markets? Academic relic. Every other wannabe either folded, fled to crypto, or got sued into oblivion. So when the NHL says it partnered with “the two market leaders,” what it really means is: “We partnered with the only two that didn’t get banned.” It’s like bragging you signed both remaining Blockbuster locations as official streaming partners
Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan: “We’re making the game more interactive.”
Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour: “Prediction markets are here to stay.”

The NHL’s Gambling Addiction Has Evolved

The league that once banned Pete Rose from existing near a rink is now renting its data to derivative traders. Why? Because sportsbook revenue is plateauing, and prediction markets are the new ESG-compliant growth hack.

  • NHL sportsbook deals (FanDuel, BetMGM): High hold, high tax, high scrutiny.
  • Prediction market deals: No state gaming tax, CFTC oversight, “not gambling” legal shield.

It’s the same playbook DraftKings used with Railbird—except the NHL didn’t even pretend to pick a side. Why choose when you can double-dip?

The Regulatory Shell Game

Polymarket runs on crypto wallets and USDC. Kalshi demands SSN + bank linkage. One’s a DeFi darling, the other’s a compliance fortress. Yet both now get to slap NHL logos on contracts like:

  • “Will Connor McDavid score 50 goals?”
  • “Will the Bruins miss the playoffs?”
  • “Will Gary Bettman retire before 2030?”

…all while claiming they’re not sports betting. Sure. And the Stanley Cup is just a “large metal prediction trophy.”

The Real Winner: The NHL’s Balance Sheet

Prediction markets don’t need risk desks, promo budgets, or state-by-state licensing fights. They’re infinite inventory with near-zero marginal cost. The NHL gets:

  • Brand placement in front of crypto bros and finance TikTok.
  • Data licensing fees (rumored $3–5M per platform annually).
  • Plausible deniability when Congress asks, “Are you running a casino?”

TL;DR – With Maximum Sarcasm

The NHL looked at the prediction market bloodbath, saw two survivors, and said: “Why pick a winner when we can invoice both?” Polymarket and Kalshi—bitter rivals who’ve spent millions proving the other is illegitimate—are now co-official, co-branded, and co-sucking from the same NHL teat.This isn’t leadership. It’s opportunistic arbitrage in a $2 billion gray market. And the fans? They’ll be too busy betting on whether the league regrets this by 2027 to notice.Prediction market odds on NHL backtracking by 2028: 3/1.

Disclaimer: This article and its accompanying images may have been enhanced using AI tools to ensure smoother content delivery and visual appeal.

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