Polymarket, a leading prediction market, announced it is launching a free grocery store in New York City.
Key Takeaways
- Polymarket’s free grocery store plan has been in the works for months.
- Along with the store, Polymarket donated $1 million to a N.Y. food bank.
- Polymarket’s competitor Kalshi tried to preempt the news by offering $50 of free groceries to New Yorkers on Tuesday.
Polymarket is putting the market in prediction markets. On Feb. 12 at noon ET, “The Polymarket” will open its doors to New Yorkers. Polymarket leased the space and, additionally, donated $1 million to the Food Bank For New York City.
The New York-based prediction market operator may have heard the clarion call of the city’s new mayor. Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged to provide more affordable grocery stores for city residents. He even proposed opening five city-run, non-profit grocery stores – one for each borough. Apparently Polymarket is giving the initiative a leg up.
In one of its many social media posts highlighting the announcement, Polymarket accounts posted, “The Polymarket is fully stocked. No purchase required. We’re open to all New Yorkers. A real physical investment in our community.”
The Polymarket is fully stocked. No purchase required.
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) February 3, 2026
We're open to all New Yorkers. A real, physical investment in our community.
The Polymarket's grand opening is on February 12th @ noon ET. pic.twitter.com/lWKjluOM66
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Dueling grocery promotions
They say the way to man’s heart is through his stomach. Maybe prediction markets think the way to a gambler’s wallet takes the same route. At least that’s one explanation for why Kalshi, one of Polymarket’s rivals, also launched a grocery-themed promotion.
Just one day ahead of Polymarket’s announcement, Kalshi announced a one-time $50 grocery giveaway at the Westside Market on 3rd Avenue.
Most gamblers and investors respond to signup bonuses. That’s been a tried-and-true method for attracting new users. And most prediction apps do, indeed, offer bonuses. Prediction markets, however, may be looking for more than just new accounts.
Federally regulated prediction markets are in the midst of a number of legal battles, challenging their right to operate without state-level oversight. Perhaps free groceries are one way to win in the court of public opinion should those lawsuits head to higher judicial courts.
