Prediction market giants Polymarket and Kalshi battle with free grocery promotions
As prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket dominate trading volumes that now regularly exceed $400 million daily, both companies are launching competing grocery giveaway initiatives.
Polymarket and Kalshi, the two dominant players in the prediction markets industry, have each launched grocery giveaway campaigns as part of an intensifying competition for market share in the rapidly expanding prediction markets sector.
On Tuesday, Kalshi distributed $50 worth of free groceries to more than 1,000 individuals in Manhattan, while its rival Polymarket revealed its intention to launch a complimentary grocery store beginning next week.
Both Kalshi and Polymarket have emerged as the frontrunners in prediction market trading activity, with daily volumes now reliably surpassing $400 million, which marks approximately a four-times surge compared to the same period one year ago.
In 2025, Kalshi generated $263.5 million in fee revenue by itself, while each platform has achieved valuations in the multibillion-dollar range following significant partnership agreements.
The Kalshi giveaway event took place at the Westside Market located at 84 3rd Ave. in Manhattan from 12 pm to 3 pm local time on Tuesday, with social media footage displaying queues that extended across several city blocks.
Based on Kalshi's registration records, 1,795 individuals enrolled to claim free groceries, though coverage from mainstream media outlets indicated that attendance reached into the "thousands."
Polymarket to launch "The Polymarket"
On Tuesday, Polymarket announced it had secured a lease to establish "New York's first free grocery store" alongside a $1 million contribution to Food Bank for NYC aimed at supporting individuals with inadequate food access throughout all five boroughs of New York.
According to Polymarket, "The Polymarket" grocery store concept has been under development for several months, and the location will be completely stocked when it opens its doors next Thursday at 12 pm local time.
"Free groceries. Free markets. Built for the people who power New York."
Each platform has been aggressively pursuing media collaborations in recent months, with Polymarket establishing a partnership with Dow Jones this past January and Kalshi forging alliances with major news organizations CNN and CNBC back in December.
Polymarket has recently initiated a marketing campaign that includes billboards intentionally designed to invite vandalization, whereas Kalshi has deployed digital billboard displays to showcase betting odds for different prediction markets.
Platforms offering prediction markets have received a prohibition on advertising during the Super Bowl scheduled for Feb. 8.
Polymarket and Kalshi both maintain their headquarters in NYC, which serves as the location for these grocery promotional initiatives.
New York City holds the reputation as the global financial capital, serving as the location of Wall Street, where the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq operations are headquartered.