Alfonso Straffon

Alfonso Straffon

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Sell‑side equity analyst; gaming/sports betting and sports business coverage.

BetMGM’s Heavy Spend Inflates Sports Betting Acquisition Costs
SocialApr 17, 2026

BetMGM’s Heavy Spend Inflates Sports Betting Acquisition Costs

"...driving up customer acquisition costs by “buying sports betting keywords as well as throwing money at any sports media property that will take it.”" BetMGM’s Adam Greenblatt: Prediction markets ‘throwing money at’ sports media properties https://t.co/vjfmR3CoKa

By Alfonso Straffon
Traders Wager $760M on Oil Dip Before Hormuz Reopening
SocialApr 17, 2026

Traders Wager $760M on Oil Dip Before Hormuz Reopening

"...around 20 minutes before Iran's foreign minister announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was open" Traders place $760 million bet on falling oil ahead of Hormuz announcement https://t.co/CGzgaSsWa9

By Alfonso Straffon
CFTC Chair Faces Bipartisan Pushback Over Crypto Prediction Markets
SocialApr 16, 2026

CFTC Chair Faces Bipartisan Pushback Over Crypto Prediction Markets

"Sports and war prediction markets and crypto-backed perpetual futures came under fire during a House committee hearing Thursday." CFTC Chair Mike Selig Faces Bipartisan Pushback on Prediction Markets, Hyperliquid Perps https://t.co/eRt5FRHcd1

By Alfonso Straffon
Ohio Sues Kalshi for Evading Sports Betting Rules
SocialApr 16, 2026

Ohio Sues Kalshi for Evading Sports Betting Rules

“How Is that not gambling?” Ohio Takes on Kalshi for dodging sports betting regulations https://t.co/3RWYMlEg4q

By Alfonso Straffon
Citadel Sees Prediction Markets, Not Sports Betting, as Geopolitical Hedge
SocialApr 16, 2026

Citadel Sees Prediction Markets, Not Sports Betting, as Geopolitical Hedge

"Esposito said Citadel Securities isn’t interested in sports betting, which makes up a large chunk of the activity on online prediction sites." Citadel Securities says prediction markets are a good hedge for geopolitical risks https://t.co/IChz3UtFCE

By Alfonso Straffon
Citadel Watches Prediction Markets, Not Trading Yet
SocialApr 16, 2026

Citadel Watches Prediction Markets, Not Trading Yet

"Citadel Securities isn’t involved in trading event contracts currently, but the firm is “absolutely, keeping an eye on developments in the market”" Citadel Securities Looks at Prediction Markets as Trading Scales https://t.co/3priEzHR9U

By Alfonso Straffon
Ninth Circuit Judges Question Sports Betting vs Casino Rules
SocialApr 16, 2026

Ninth Circuit Judges Question Sports Betting vs Casino Rules

"A three-judge panel pressed the exchanges on how sports betting differs from casino gambling." Online sports betting exchanges seek win before Ninth Circuit https://t.co/HmiCfIl3qq

By Alfonso Straffon
FanDuel Pursues Prediction Market Contracts Independently of CME
SocialApr 15, 2026

FanDuel Pursues Prediction Market Contracts Independently of CME

"new FCM would be wholly owned by FanDuel with no CME involvement [...] The new registration, if and when approved, may simply give FanDuel some optionality..." FanDuel Registers New Interest In Prediction Market Contracts, Without CME Involved This Time https://t.co/EGMyrzBKpX

By Alfonso Straffon
Jury Backs Polymarket Rescue, Traders Remain Outraged
SocialApr 11, 2026

Jury Backs Polymarket Rescue, Traders Remain Outraged

"... jury that handles Polymarket disputes ruled that the quick, in-and-out rescue mission satisfied the terms of the contract. Traders on the losing side of the wager were outraged." Polymarket’s $269 Million Question: Did U.S. Forces ‘Enter’ Iran? https://t.co/ETehpX08Zh

By Alfonso Straffon
White House Bans Staff Betting on Iran War Predictions
SocialApr 10, 2026

White House Bans Staff Betting on Iran War Predictions

"Well-timed bets about the war in Iran have raised eyebrows and calls from Democrats for more regulation" White House Warns Staff Not to Place Bets on Prediction Markets Amid Iran War https://t.co/4EjydM6lal

By Alfonso Straffon
Prediction Markets Prioritize Fees Over Trading Efficiency
SocialApr 9, 2026

Prediction Markets Prioritize Fees Over Trading Efficiency

"But the biggest prediction markets today are not primarily built around trading efficiency. Kalshi, for example, operates more like a square sportsbook than a sharp sportsbook. Its model is built around bringing in price-insensitive takers and letting market makers trade...

By Alfonso Straffon
Event‑betting Could Earn $10 B Annually From $1.1 T Market
SocialApr 9, 2026

Event‑betting Could Earn $10 B Annually From $1.1 T Market

"The bank's analysts say that would translate into around $10 billion in annualized revenue for event-betting companies, assuming an average fee of about 1%." Bank of America Sees a $1.1 Trillion Market for Sports Event Betting in US https://t.co/F68zNFeBVY

By Alfonso Straffon
Iran Ceasefire Sends Prediction Markets Into Turmoil
SocialApr 9, 2026

Iran Ceasefire Sends Prediction Markets Into Turmoil

"contract resolved to "yes" following Tuesday evening's announcements, but its outcome has since been changed to "disputed" given continued disruptions to Hormuz Strait shipments and enduring hostilities" Iran Ceasefire Wreaks Havoc on Prediction Markets https://t.co/uv56XlWTW9

By Alfonso Straffon
Prediction Market ETFs Could Become Viable Investment Tools
SocialApr 9, 2026

Prediction Market ETFs Could Become Viable Investment Tools

"On this episode of Trillions, Eric Balchunas and Joel Weber interview Matt Hougan, chief investment officer of Bitwise and one of those filers, about why prediction market ETFs might make sense" Prediction Markets May Be Coming for ETFs https://t.co/hRoSJZ6Jb2

By Alfonso Straffon