SOFTSWISS explores the potential of prediction markets in new report for iGaming operators

SOFTSWISS has released a report examining the rise of prediction markets and their potential implications for iGaming operators seeking to enter the segment.

The report, titled Prediction Markets: From Trading to Betting, traces the evolution of prediction markets from early forms of wagering on papal elections in the 15th century to modern platforms processing billions of dollars in monthly trading volume.

It reviews major operators, including Polymarket and Kalshi, alongside the first iGaming-focused prediction market launches in 2025 and 2026. The report also outlines regulatory status across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

The document closes with practical guidance on how to launch prediction markets as an iGaming product.

Drawing on data from sources including Dune, Keyrock, TRM Labs, and Blask, the study analyses demand signals in the United States, Britain, Ireland, Australia, and Canada, while comparing trading-style and betting-style prediction market models.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of Operations at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, said: "Monthly volume grew from $32m in January 2024 to $12.6bn in January 2026 – a scale shift the industry can no longer afford to dismiss.”

“That is no longer a trend – it is a fully formed product category. And critically, almost none of that volume has flowed through traditional operators.”

The report identified sports as the highest-value event category on both Kalshi and Polymarket. Four of the 10 most profitable Polymarket wallets traded mainly on sports events between January and March 2026, generating a combined profit of $22 million. For operators already running a sportsbook, that overlap is a direct revenue opportunity, the company said.

SOFTSWISS further cited a forecast from Bernstein projecting the global prediction markets sector could reach $1 trillion by 2030, with volume expected to rise 370% by the end of 2026.

Demand growth has been strongest in the United States and Britain, while Canada and Australia are also expanding markets with differing regulatory frameworks.

The report follows the launch of SOFTSWISS Prediction Markets, the company’s own event-based wagering solution covering politics, economics, sports, and entertainment outcomes.

The product uses a fixed-odds model designed to work with existing iGaming licences and operator infrastructure. The offering is available as a standalone iFrame widget or through direct integration with the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook platform, with launch timelines of two to three days for existing partners.