Prediction markets recorded more than $50 billion in monthly trading volume for the first time in June, driven by betting around the World Cup. Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket saw unprecedented user engagement, with the June volume the largest monthly total ever recorded in the sector.

Kalshi processed approximately $33 billion in trading volume during June, while Polymarket accounted for most of the remaining activity. World Cup matches generated billions of dollars in wagers across outright winner, match result and player performance markets.

Analysts at Bernstein called the expanded 48‑team World Cup a “watershed moment” for prediction markets, forecasting that the tournament would add more than $3 billion in incremental betting handle and boost consumer volumes by $5‑$10 billion. The record confirms that many traditional sportsbooks lag behind the exchange‑style model that lets traders adjust positions in real time as new information emerges.

The main challenge now is retaining users once the World Cup ends. While the surge was fueled by 104 matches and weeks of continuous trading, analysts expect activity to moderate. If volumes stay high, it would signal that prediction markets have become a year‑round financial product rather than a headline‑event business.