(AsiaGameHub) – SBC Summit Americas is set to debut a specialized Prediction Markets Forum to analyze one of the most rapidly expanding and discussed segments within the US sports betting landscape.
Scheduled for Thursday, June 11, as part of the event’s Breakout Stage, the forum will gather operators, legal professionals, and industry analysts to discuss the growth of prediction markets, the entry of sportsbooks into the field, and the regulatory and integrity hurdles ahead. The four-session track will be moderated by Patrick Everson, a sports betting analyst and contributor to FOX Sports.
The recent spike in interest for prediction markets is largely linked to the 2024 presidential election, which pushed event contracts into the public spotlight.
Since that time, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics have all taken steps to enter the sector, while platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are expanding their reach through high-profile athlete endorsements and multi-year league partnerships. However, the industry faces legal uncertainty due to conflicting federal decisions and a surge in state-level enforcement actions and lawsuits from gaming regulators.
“Prediction markets are set to be a defining feature of the American market by 2026, though the ambiguity between financial trading and traditional wagering presents significant challenges for the sector,” stated Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC. “This forum will gather the key figures influencing this space to help the industry understand the road ahead.”
The program begins with an introductory session, Prediction Markets 101. Speaker Dan Zucker (President, Zucker Media Group) will explore the evolution of event contracts from 19th-century economic hedging to their current status as a potential billion-dollar industry. He will also explain the mechanics of these markets, the reasons for their rapid growth, and their influence on the modern gambling sector.
Over the past 18 months, several prominent US operators have moved into the world of event contracts. In the session “How Sportsbooks Are Entering the World of Event Contracts,” experts Dr. Laila Mintas (CEO, Dr. Mintas Consulting), David Huffman (COO, Sporttrade), and Dustin Gouker (Founder, The Closing Line) will discuss the motivations behind these moves and whether state-level partnerships are a vital part of their strategy.
The “A Question of Compliance and Integrity” panel will focus on the legal and regulatory hurdles facing US prediction markets. Legal expert Dan Wallach (Partner, Wallach Legal) will analyze the regulatory landscape, ongoing lawsuits from gaming groups and states, and the resulting compliance issues for operators.
Looking forward, the “What’s the Future of Futures?” session will consider the long-term effects of prediction markets on the betting industry. Speakers Ilya Beylin (Associate Professor, Seton Hall University School of Law), Robin D Hanson (Associate Professor, George Mason University), and Chris Gerlacher (Senior Political Reporter and Industry Analyst, Prediction News) will discuss potential Supreme Court involvement and the tension between land-based opponents and online sportsbooks seeking to integrate these markets.
This subject will also be explored on the Leaders Stage in a panel titled “The Current State of Prediction Markets in the US.” Experts Joshua B. Sterling (Partner, Milbank) and Alex Kane (CEO, Sporttrade) will review the evolution of these markets across North America and the reactions from investors, regulators, and operators to the shifting environment.
The Prediction Markets Forum is a key component of the two-day SBC Summit Americas conference. In addition to the Breakout Stage, attendees can explore sessions on sports betting, casino gaming, payments, technology, compliance, affiliation, leadership, and player safety across North and Latin America.
Secure Your Entry to SBC Summit Americas:
VIP Pass – Priced at $700, providing full access to the conference agenda, expo floor, the Food Festival, and evening networking events.
Expo+ Pass: Available for $95, offering access to the expo floor and all conference sessions (excluding evening networking events).
Complimentary Operator & Affiliate Passes: Qualified operators and affiliates may apply for free passes for SBC Summit Americas, subject to approval. Apply for Your Complimentary Operator Pass | Apply for Your Complimentary Affiliate Pass.
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