Guides
Prediction Markets vs World Cup Bracket Pools: What's the Difference?
A pool locks your picks and splits a pot. A market lets you buy, sell and exit at a live price. How the two compare on cost, payout, risk and flexibility.
Explainers
Deep explainers on how prediction markets work, from market mechanics to resolution.
Sources
Every figure on this page is checked against primary sources — regulator filings, exchange documentation and official results. Prices and rules change; verify with the operator before trading.
- Customer advisories and investor protection notices — U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
- Designated Contract Markets (DCMs) — U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
- The Commodity Exchange Act & regulations — U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Frequently asked questions
Who sets the odds on a prediction market?
No one. Prices come from traders posting bids and offers in an order book, unlike a sportsbook where the house sets the line and takes the other side.
What is the spread and why does it matter?
The gap between the best bid and best offer. A wide spread raises your cost to enter and exit, which matters more than the headline fee on thin markets.
How does resolution work?
Each contract names a settlement source and wording in its rulebook. The exchange settles against that source, which is why edge cases are decided by the rules, not intuition.
Guides
Prediction Markets vs Sports Betting: What's the Difference?
Prediction markets and sportsbooks both let you take a view on a football match, but they are different products under different regulators — and in 2026 the courts are still deciding where the line sits.