Meta Plans Prediction Markets App 'Arena' to Rival Polymarket and Kalshi
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has directed a small team to develop a prediction markets app internally called 'Arena,' aiming to compete with platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi. The app will initially use a video-game style points system rather than real money, though real-money betting may be introduced later. It will operate independently from Meta's social networks but leverage its user base. The news caused shares of DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment to fall, signaling potential disruption to the growing prediction market sector.
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Meta's Reported Prediction Market Plans Send DraftKings and Flutter Stocks Lower
Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly directed Meta staff to develop a prediction market app called 'Arena', similar to Polymarket and Kalshi. The New York Times reported on June 23 that a small team is designing a smartphone app that would initially use a points system rather than real money, though money bets have not been ruled out. Following the report, DraftKings stock fell over 2% and Flutter Entertainment (FanDuel's parent) fell nearly 2%. Prediction markets have surged in popularity, with combined trades exceeding $130 billion in 2026. However, the platforms face scrutiny over potential insider trading, including a recent case where a U.S. Special Forces member allegedly used confidential information to bet on a military operation. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized Meta's move, accusing the company of copying slot machines to addict children to Instagram. Meta has not commented on the report.
Yahoo FinanceMeta and Zuckerberg enter prediction market with new app Arena
Mark Zuckerberg has directed a Meta team to develop Arena, a smartphone prediction market app to compete with industry leaders Kalshi and Polymarket. Unlike its rivals, Arena will initially use a video-game-like points system instead of real money wagering, though Meta has not ruled out future real-money betting. The app will leverage Meta's large social networking audiences and integrate the company's Llama AI model to auto-generate questions from trending topics. This marks Meta's second attempt after the 2020 Forecast app was shut down in 2022. The prediction market industry is booming, surging during the 2024 U.S. presidential election and potentially reaching $1 trillion by 2030, but faces increasing scrutiny over gambling law violations and potential manipulation. Zuckerberg's move follows X's partnership with Polymarket, signaling social media platforms seeking to capitalize on the growing industry.
TheWeek feedMark Zuckerberg directs Meta to build prediction market app Arena
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has directed a small team to build a new smartphone app called Arena, focused on prediction markets. The app would allow users to forecast outcomes of elections, sports, economic data, and entertainment using a video game-style points system rather than real money, keeping it outside CFTC oversight for now. Arena would operate separately from Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The news caused shares of DraftKings, Flutter Entertainment, and Robinhood to drop, as Meta's 3.56 billion daily users pose a significant competitive threat. Meta previously launched a similar app called Forecast in 2020 but shut it down in 2022. The prediction market sector has grown rapidly, with combined trading volume on Kalshi and Polymarket reaching $50 billion in 2025 and over $130 billion in 2026, with Bernstein estimating the category could reach $1 trillion by 2030.
Yahoo FinanceMark Zuckerberg Makes a Move on a New Billion-Dollar Prediction Markets Market
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has directed a small team to build a new smartphone app called Arena, focused on prediction markets. Unlike competitors, Arena will use a video game-style points system rather than real money, allowing it to operate outside CFTC oversight for now, though cash wagering may be added later. The app would run independently from Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger but leverage Meta's 3.56 billion daily active users. The news caused shares of prediction market competitors DraftKings, Flutter (FanDuel), and Robinhood to drop. This is Meta's second attempt at prediction markets after shutting down its Forecast app in 2022. The prediction market sector is growing rapidly, with Bernstein estimating $1 trillion in annual volume by 2030.
Yahoo FinanceMeta Developing 'Arena' Prediction Markets App to Rival Polymarket and Kalshi
Meta is reportedly building a standalone prediction markets application called 'Arena', as CEO Mark Zuckerberg aims to capitalize on the rapidly growing prediction market sector. According to The New York Times, Arena will initially use a points-based system similar to video games rather than real-money wagering, though real-money betting may be introduced later. The app would compete with platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, which generated a combined $130 billion in trading volume in 2026. Analysts at Bernstein project prediction markets could reach $1 trillion in annual trading volume by 2030. Meta plans to leverage its existing social media reach (Facebook and Instagram) to drive adoption of Arena, which is one of several experimental projects under development. The company has not publicly commented on the reports.
Yahoo FinanceMark Zuckerberg Directed Meta to Create a Prediction Markets App: Report
According to a New York Times report cited by Reuters, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has directed a small internal team to develop a smartphone app for prediction markets, similar to platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi. The app, internally referred to as 'Arena', is expected to operate independently from Meta's core social networking services such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The report suggests the app will likely use a video game-like points system initially, though using real money for bets has not been ruled out. Prediction markets gained significant traction during the 2024 U.S. presidential election and are now considered an asset class for wagering on events ranging from monetary policy to sports. Major trading platforms like Robinhood and Interactive Brokers have also entered this space. Meta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Mark Zuckerberg directed Meta to create a prediction markets app
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has directed the company to create a prediction markets app, according to a source cited by The Business Times. The app, currently in development, will not initially involve real-money betting, but may incorporate it in the future. Meta aims to leverage its social networking user base to drive adoption of the app, though it may not be released. The story references existing prediction market platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, suggesting Meta is entering a competitive space. The publication date is June 24, 2026.
The Business TimesMeta Prediction Markets App Arena Sinks DraftKings and Robinhood Stock
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has directed a small team to build a prediction markets app called Arena, causing shares of DraftKings and Robinhood to decline after the plans became public on Tuesday. Arena will operate as a standalone product separate from Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Initially, real-money wagering will not be available; instead, Arena will use a points-based system similar to video games, though cash betting may be introduced later. Meta plans to leverage its 3.56 billion daily visitors from its social platforms to drive adoption. DraftKings fell nearly 2%, and Robinhood also declined. The prediction market sector has grown rapidly, with combined trading volume on Kalshi and Polymarket reaching $130 billion in 2026. Established sports betting operators like FanDuel and DraftKings have entered the space, and Trump Media & Technology Group has announced its own prediction market plans. The sector is under regulatory scrutiny, with congressional investigators probing insider trading and federal prosecutors charging a U.S. Special Forces soldier for exploiting classified information to place bets on Polymarket.
Yahoo FinanceMeta to Build Prediction Markets App 'Arena'; DraftKings, Flutter Stocks Fall
Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg has ordered staff to develop a prediction markets platform, internally codenamed 'Arena', according to a New York Times report. The app will be separate from Meta's social media platforms but will leverage Facebook's and Instagram's user base to attract traders. Initially, the platform will use a video-game style points system rather than real money, though real money may be introduced later. The news caused shares of sports gambling companies DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment (FanDuel's parent) to fall over 2% on Tuesday, as prediction markets are seen as potential disruptors to traditional sports betting. Robinhood, which offers contracts from prediction markets, also declined. Meta declined to comment to the Times or CNBC. The move signals Meta's expansion into the growing prediction market sector.
US Top News and AnalysisMeta Plans Prediction Market App 'Arena' to Rival Polymarket and Kalshi
Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is developing a new prediction market app internally called 'Arena,' according to a New York Times report. The standalone app would allow users to place bets initially using video game points, with potential future integration of real-money betting. Meta aims to compete with established prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi, which recorded over $23.8 billion in trading volume in April 2026. The company has prior experience in this space with 'Forecast,' a similar app launched in 2020 and shut down in 2022. The prediction market boom has also attracted traditional sports betting firms like DraftKings and FanDuel. Meta declined to comment, and the development stage remains unclear. The move follows Meta's pattern of entering markets dominated by competitors, as seen with Instagram Stories and Reels. The company is also reportedly working on an AI image app called 'Meta Photos.'
Forbes - BusinessMark Zuckerberg Directed Meta to Create Prediction Markets App, NYT Reports
According to a New York Times report citing employees, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ordered a small team to develop a smartphone app similar to prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi. The app, internally called 'Arena', is expected to initially use a video game-like points system rather than real money, although real-money betting has not been ruled out. The app would operate independently from Meta's social networks like Facebook and Instagram. Prediction markets have gained popularity since the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with platforms like Robinhood and Interactive Brokers now offering event contracts. Reuters could not independently verify the report, and Meta did not immediately comment.
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