Published on: October 8, 2025, at 11:26 AM.
Updated on: October 8, 2025, at 11:36 AM.
- Polymarket has introduced a betting market regarding DraftKings possibly acquiring Railbird
- The market allows traders to speculate on whether an announcement will occur by October 31
DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) is feeling the competitive pulse of prediction markets, and Polymarket is taking notice. The platform is providing a space for bettors to speculate on the potential acquisition of Railbird Exchange.
Polymarket users can place bets on DraftKings potentially acquiring Railbird Exchange, a smaller entity in the prediction market arena. Speculation about this acquisition began in July, and since July 15—just after media reports emerged—Polymarket has offered yes/no contracts betting on the announcement by October 31, though no deal has been finalized yet.
This market’s resolution will be ‘Yes’ if it is announced that Railbird is to be, has been, or is currently being acquired by or merged with DraftKings (DraftKings Inc.) by October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. If no announcement is made, it will resolve to ‘No,’” as stated by Polymarket. “An announcement from either Railbird or DraftKings will trigger a ‘Yes’ resolution, regardless of whether the acquisition or merger actually occurs.”
Polymarket emphasizes that official announcements from either DraftKings or Railbird will be the primary source for market resolution, but they may also consider “a consensus of reliable reporting.”
Traders Hesitant on Betting for DraftKings/Railbird Deal
Despite some analysts suggesting it may be an overreaction, DraftKings stock has faced substantial pressure recently amid reports of increasing contract volumes on prediction market Kalshi. The sportsbook’s shares plummeted 29.26% in the last month and are currently at their lowest since late April.
This decline coincides with Polymarket currently not being available in the US due to a government shutdown. There is speculation that once this major prediction market platform operates in the US, traditional online sportsbooks may face additional challenges.
While there are rumors that DraftKings may soon announce its entry into the prediction markets, the data suggests otherwise. Market activity remains low, with under $13K in volume and only a 24% probability that DraftKings will announce a deal with Railbird by the end of October.
Currently, neither DraftKings nor Railbird has confirmed any discussions, and it remains unclear if Railbird is open to being sold.
Understanding the Railbird Acquisition Rumor
DraftKings has a track record of acquisitions, having previously acquired Simplebet Inc. and online lottery provider Jackpocket in 2024, making the possibility of entering the prediction markets space logical.
Railbird’s acquisition cost would likely be reasonable, and sources like Crunchbase label it as a “probable” target for acquisition.
However, there are concerns that DraftKings, along with other sportsbook operators, must navigate carefully regarding prediction markets, as states have indicated that such pursuits could jeopardize existing sports betting licenses.