Surge in Betting for 2026 NCAA Basketball Tournament
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 17 2026
0mins
Should l Buy DKNG?
Source: seekingalpha
- Betting Amount Increase: The American Gaming Association estimates that legal wagering on the 2026 NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments will reach $3.3 billion, up from $3.1 billion in 2025, reflecting a growing trend as more states launch online betting and consumer engagement deepens.
- Market Share Boost: The inclusion of Missouri, the 19th largest state by population, is expected to significantly enhance market share for leaders like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Bet365, further solidifying their positions in the rapidly expanding online betting market.
- Rise of Prediction Markets: The popularity of prediction market platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi, especially in states where sports betting remains illegal, will be a major factor, with about 40% of digital sports betting ads now coming from these regulated platforms, indicating a decline in traditional sportsbook advertising spend and volume.
- Cautious Promotional Strategies: Analysts have noted that sportsbooks are adopting a more cautious approach to promotional activities amid the legal and regulatory challenges facing major U.S. prediction markets, adapting to the evolving market landscape.
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Analyst Views on DKNG
Wall Street analysts forecast DKNG stock price to rise
29 Analyst Rating
23 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 20.720
Low
30.00
Averages
42.69
High
53.00
Current: 20.720
Low
30.00
Averages
42.69
High
53.00
About DKNG
DraftKings Inc. is a digital sports entertainment and gaming company. It provides users with online and retail sports betting (together, Sportsbook), online casino (iGaming) and daily fantasy sports product offerings, as well as digital lottery courier, media, and other product offerings. Sportsbook is live with mobile and/or retail sports betting operations pursuant to regulations in 28 states, Washington, D.C., and in Ontario, Canada. It operates iGaming pursuant to regulations in five states and in Ontario, Canada under its DraftKings brand and pursuant to regulations in four states under its Golden Nugget Online Gaming brand. It owns Jackpocket, a digital lottery courier app in the United States. It is both an official daily fantasy and sports betting partner of the NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, WNBA and UFC, as well as an official daily fantasy partner of NASCAR, an official sports betting partner of the NBA. It also owns and operates DraftKings Network, a multi-platform content ecosystem.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
NFL Urges Regulation of Prediction Markets to Safeguard Game Integrity
- Regulatory Call: The NFL is urging prediction market platforms to avoid offering easily manipulable contracts, particularly those tied to officiating or knowable in advance, highlighting its strong commitment to game integrity.
- Advocacy for Framework: Collaborating with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the NFL emphasizes that sports-related prediction markets should be treated differently from traditional futures contracts, reflecting its pursuit of necessary regulatory protections in rapidly evolving markets.
- Cautious Stance: Unlike leagues such as the NHL, MLB, and MLS, the NFL adopts a more cautious approach towards prediction markets, requesting operators to refrain from offering specific event contracts deemed
See More
NFL Requests Ban on Manipulable Betting Contracts
- Market Regulation: The NFL has sent a letter to prediction market operators requesting the removal of what it deems 'objectionable bets' from their platforms to safeguard the integrity of the games and the interests of participants.
- Manipulability Concerns: The letter outlines examples of event contracts that could be easily manipulated by a single individual, such as whether a kicker will miss a field goal, highlighting the NFL's vigilance regarding these types of wagers.
- Market Participant Dynamics: While the NFL remains cautious about prediction markets, platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket have rapidly emerged in this burgeoning industry, attracting interest from traditional sports betting companies like FanDuel and DraftKings.
- Regulatory Call: NFL executives have stated that the current lack of effective regulation in sports prediction markets necessitates continued engagement with the CFTC to establish essential regulatory frameworks that protect game integrity.
See More
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- Legislative Proposal: Senators Jeff Merkley and Elizabeth Warren, along with Rep. Jamie Raskin, have introduced the STOP Corrupt Bets Act, aimed at banning prediction market bets on elections, government actions, and sports, highlighting increasing scrutiny on these platforms.
- Corruption Risks: Merkley emphasized that allowing individuals to place well-timed bets on congressional bills or military actions creates ripe conditions for corruption and undermines public trust, potentially affecting the integrity of democratic institutions.
- Market Regulation: The new bill imposes broader restrictions on prediction markets than previous measures, clarifying that these markets contradict the intent of federal trading laws and returning regulatory power over gambling to the states, addressing existing legal loopholes.
- Industry Response: Prediction market platform Kalshi criticized the legislation, claiming it is driven by casino interests threatened by competition, reflecting strong opposition within the industry and concerns about the future of prediction markets.
See More
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- Market Rebound: On Wednesday, all three major U.S. indices closed higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.7% to 46,429.49, the S&P 500 up 0.5% to 6,591.90, and the Nasdaq Composite up 0.8% to 21,929.83, reflecting optimistic sentiment regarding economic recovery.
- Oil Price Decline: Oil prices fell as tensions appeared to ease, with WTI down 2.2% to $90.32 per barrel and Brent also down 2.2% to $102.22, indicating market sensitivity to geopolitical developments and future supply concerns.
- Investor Sentiment: Despite the overall market gains, retail sentiment towards the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was extremely bearish amid high message volume, suggesting uncertainty that could influence short-term investment decisions.
- Economic Outlook: While uncertainties persist, Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group, noted that recession risks remain limited, with forward 12-month S&P 500 earnings estimates and profit margins expected to reach new highs, indicating potential for solid returns for investors by the end of 2026.
See More
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- Significant Stock Decline: DraftKings shares fell 8.1% on Wednesday to their lowest level in nearly three years, while Flutter shares dropped 4.1%, reaching a new low since August 2022, indicating investor concerns over regulatory updates in the prediction market space.
- Competitive Pressure from Prediction Markets: The rise of prediction market platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi has intensified competition for DraftKings and Flutter, leading investors to increasingly view these emerging platforms as threats, which has pressured their stock prices.
- Legal Challenges: DraftKings and Flutter's subsidiary FanDuel are facing a product liability lawsuit alleging that they use modern technology to promote addictive microbetting, which raises further concerns about their business models and regulatory scrutiny.
- Shift in Market Sentiment: According to Stocktwits data, DraftKings' market sentiment shifted from neutral to 'extremely bearish,' reflecting a significant decline in investor confidence, with the stock down nearly 38% year-to-date.
See More
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Stock Performance: DraftKings' stock dropped 8% and Flutter's stock declined 4%, reaching their lowest levels in nearly three years, as investors reacted to regulatory updates affecting prediction market platforms.
Regulatory Challenges: New bills targeting prediction markets have been introduced in the U.S. Congress, with concerns that they may not pass in the current legislative session, potentially impacting companies like DraftKings and Flutter.
Legal Issues: DraftKings and Flutter are facing lawsuits related to product liability and marketing practices, including allegations of promoting addictive gambling behaviors through modern technology.
Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment for DraftKings has turned "extremely bearish," with significant year-to-date declines of nearly 38% for DraftKings and 52% for Flutter, as traders express concerns over regulatory hurdles and market competition.
See More
NFL Urges Regulation of Prediction Markets to Safeguard Game Integrity
- Regulatory Call: The NFL is urging prediction market platforms to avoid offering easily manipulable contracts, particularly those tied to officiating or knowable in advance, highlighting its strong commitment to game integrity.
- Advocacy for Framework: Collaborating with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the NFL emphasizes that sports-related prediction markets should be treated differently from traditional futures contracts, reflecting its pursuit of necessary regulatory protections in rapidly evolving markets.
- Cautious Stance: Unlike leagues such as the NHL, MLB, and MLS, the NFL adopts a more cautious approach towards prediction markets, requesting operators to refrain from offering specific event contracts deemed
See More
NFL Requests Ban on Manipulable Betting Contracts
- Market Regulation: The NFL has sent a letter to prediction market operators requesting the removal of what it deems 'objectionable bets' from their platforms to safeguard the integrity of the games and the interests of participants.
- Manipulability Concerns: The letter outlines examples of event contracts that could be easily manipulated by a single individual, such as whether a kicker will miss a field goal, highlighting the NFL's vigilance regarding these types of wagers.
- Market Participant Dynamics: While the NFL remains cautious about prediction markets, platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket have rapidly emerged in this burgeoning industry, attracting interest from traditional sports betting companies like FanDuel and DraftKings.
- Regulatory Call: NFL executives have stated that the current lack of effective regulation in sports prediction markets necessitates continued engagement with the CFTC to establish essential regulatory frameworks that protect game integrity.
See More
Legislation Introduced to Ban Election Prediction Market Bets
- Legislative Proposal: Senators Jeff Merkley and Elizabeth Warren, along with Rep. Jamie Raskin, have introduced the STOP Corrupt Bets Act, aimed at banning prediction market bets on elections, government actions, and sports, highlighting increasing scrutiny on these platforms.
- Corruption Risks: Merkley emphasized that allowing individuals to place well-timed bets on congressional bills or military actions creates ripe conditions for corruption and undermines public trust, potentially affecting the integrity of democratic institutions.
- Market Regulation: The new bill imposes broader restrictions on prediction markets than previous measures, clarifying that these markets contradict the intent of federal trading laws and returning regulatory power over gambling to the states, addressing existing legal loopholes.
- Industry Response: Prediction market platform Kalshi criticized the legislation, claiming it is driven by casino interests threatened by competition, reflecting strong opposition within the industry and concerns about the future of prediction markets.
See More
U.S. Major Indices Close Higher Amid Mixed Signals
- Market Rebound: On Wednesday, all three major U.S. indices closed higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.7% to 46,429.49, the S&P 500 up 0.5% to 6,591.90, and the Nasdaq Composite up 0.8% to 21,929.83, reflecting optimistic sentiment regarding economic recovery.
- Oil Price Decline: Oil prices fell as tensions appeared to ease, with WTI down 2.2% to $90.32 per barrel and Brent also down 2.2% to $102.22, indicating market sensitivity to geopolitical developments and future supply concerns.
- Investor Sentiment: Despite the overall market gains, retail sentiment towards the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was extremely bearish amid high message volume, suggesting uncertainty that could influence short-term investment decisions.
- Economic Outlook: While uncertainties persist, Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group, noted that recession risks remain limited, with forward 12-month S&P 500 earnings estimates and profit margins expected to reach new highs, indicating potential for solid returns for investors by the end of 2026.
See More
DraftKings and Flutter Stocks Plummet Amid Regulatory Concerns
- Significant Stock Decline: DraftKings shares fell 8.1% on Wednesday to their lowest level in nearly three years, while Flutter shares dropped 4.1%, reaching a new low since August 2022, indicating investor concerns over regulatory updates in the prediction market space.
- Competitive Pressure from Prediction Markets: The rise of prediction market platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi has intensified competition for DraftKings and Flutter, leading investors to increasingly view these emerging platforms as threats, which has pressured their stock prices.
- Legal Challenges: DraftKings and Flutter's subsidiary FanDuel are facing a product liability lawsuit alleging that they use modern technology to promote addictive microbetting, which raises further concerns about their business models and regulatory scrutiny.
- Shift in Market Sentiment: According to Stocktwits data, DraftKings' market sentiment shifted from neutral to 'extremely bearish,' reflecting a significant decline in investor confidence, with the stock down nearly 38% year-to-date.
See More
DKNG and FLUT Hit Multi-Year Lows as Analyst Cautions on Potential Delay in Prediction Market Regulation
Stock Performance: DraftKings' stock dropped 8% and Flutter's stock declined 4%, reaching their lowest levels in nearly three years, as investors reacted to regulatory updates affecting prediction market platforms.
Regulatory Challenges: New bills targeting prediction markets have been introduced in the U.S. Congress, with concerns that they may not pass in the current legislative session, potentially impacting companies like DraftKings and Flutter.
Legal Issues: DraftKings and Flutter are facing lawsuits related to product liability and marketing practices, including allegations of promoting addictive gambling behaviors through modern technology.
Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment for DraftKings has turned "extremely bearish," with significant year-to-date declines of nearly 38% for DraftKings and 52% for Flutter, as traders express concerns over regulatory hurdles and market competition.
See More
