TLDR
- Kalshi gave away $50 in free groceries to over 1,000 people in Manhattan on Tuesday as a marketing campaign
- Polymarket announced it will open a free grocery store in New York next week and donated $1 million to Food Bank for NYC
- Daily prediction market trading volumes now exceed $400 million, about four times higher than last year
- Kalshi earned $263.5 million in fee revenue in 2025 and both platforms have multibillion-dollar valuations
- Both companies are based in NYC and have recently partnered with major media outlets like CNN, CNBC, and Dow Jones
Prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket are competing for customers through free grocery promotions in New York City. Kalshi distributed free groceries worth up to $50 to shoppers in Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon.
After months of planning, we're excited to announce 'The Polymarket' is coming to New York City.
New York's first free grocery store.
We signed the lease. And we donated $1 million to Food Bank For NYC — an organization that changes how our city responds to hunger. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/BGMCWUMz8n
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) February 3, 2026
The event took place at Westside Market at 84 3rd Ave. between noon and 3 pm local time. Lines stretched for multiple blocks as thousands of people waited in below-freezing temperatures.
According to Kalshi’s guest list, 1,795 people signed up to receive free groceries. Many shoppers had never heard of Kalshi before attending the event.
Ben Bruik stood outside with his one-year-old daughter to take advantage of the offer. He told reporters he is between jobs and his wife sent him to get the free groceries.
Thousands have already picked up their free Kalshi groceries!
We are being told we've already inspired other companies to keep up the initiative!
2 more hours to get yours
Westside Market | 84 3rd Ave. NYC pic.twitter.com/8R11OGODLu
— Kalshi (@Kalshi) February 3, 2026
Inside the store, Kalshi staff set up six-foot-tall banners featuring prediction market questions about the economy. One banner near the deli counter asked “Recession this year?” Another by the baked goods asked about Arizona Iced Tea prices.
Polymarket Responds With Free Grocery Store
Polymarket announced on Tuesday it signed a lease to open what it calls “New York’s first free grocery store.” The store will launch next Thursday at noon local time.
The company also donated $1 million to Food Bank for NYC. The donation will assist people with limited food access across all five NYC boroughs.
Polymarket said the grocery store project has been in the works for months. The store will be fully stocked when it opens to the public.
Prediction Market Growth
Daily trading volumes on prediction markets now consistently exceed $400 million. This represents roughly a fourfold increase from one year ago.
Kalshi and Polymarket lead the industry in trading volumes. Kalshi earned $263.5 million from fee revenue alone in 2025.
Both platforms hold multibillion-dollar valuations following major partnerships. Polymarket partnered with Dow Jones in January while Kalshi teamed up with CNN and CNBC in December.
The platforms have expanded their marketing efforts in recent months. Polymarket launched a campaign with billboards designed to be vandalized.
Kalshi used digital billboards during New York’s mayoral election to display live prediction market odds. The company hired Morris Gindi, an 18-year-old who spent $5,700 on a baseball playoff seat to promote Kalshi, as their “Stunt Man.”
Prediction market platforms face advertising restrictions for the upcoming Super Bowl on February 8. Both companies continue to explore alternative marketing strategies in New York City.
Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour previously worked as an analyst at Goldman Sachs. He based the company in Manhattan and said New York has given Kalshi much support.
Westside Market NYC CEO George Zoitas said the grocery store serves as more than a shopping location. He described it as part of the community and plans more free grocery events with Kalshi.
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