Poker legend Daniel Negreanu is one of the most marketable players in the game.
He was once the face of PokerStars and is currently an ambassador for GGPoker, the online poker site whose parent company owns the World Series of Poker. Now, he’s inking a deal with another site.
The seven-time WSOP bracelet winner announced a partnership with Kalshi on Tuesday afternoon. Negreanu joins an expanding list of influencers representing the prediction market platform, including comedian Tim Dillon and golf content creator “Club Pro Guy.”
As part of the deal, Negreanu has his own promo code for the site. He is conducting a giveaway for those who use it. Users who sign up with his code are entered into a drawing for the following package:
- A $26,000 ticket to the Super Main Event at WSOP Paradise this December
- Nine nights at the Atlantis, where the tournament is held
- Access to the exclusive player lounge
- GGPoker Paradise merchandise
Despite Legal Battle, Kalshi Officially Dives Into Gambling World
Despite the high-profile list of ambassadors, Negreanu is the first with a connection to the gambling world. But his addition comes when the company is trying to separate itself from that very industry.
In an Instagram post announcing the partnership, Negreanu said he has been using the platform for a while. However, when he describes the platform, Negreanu’s language is very specific not to implicate it’s a gambling website.
He uses the term “trading” instead of betting. In fact, he even outlines the differences between Kalshi and a sportsbook.
“It’s not a sportsbook. Meaning you can get better odds,” said Negreanu. “You won’t get limited for winning too much. And you can trade in and out of positions even within games. And because it’s a trading market, it’s available in all 50 states.”
Several states already sued Kalshi for violating its sports betting laws. Those states claim Kalshi is operating as an unlicensed online sports betting operation.
Nevada and New Jersey both made the claim. But Kalshi won those lawsuits after filing for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order against both states in federal court.
On the other hand, it lost the legal battle against Maryland. Regulators are allowing the company to continue Maryland operations until after the appeals process is complete.
Additionally, Massachusetts filed suit last week.
Poker Prediction Markets On The Way?
Kalshi offers prediction markets for nearly industry on the planet. Sports, politics, crypto, and even the weather.
But Kalshi doesn’t offer anything poker-related. Negreanu’s partnership, and his connection to GGPoker, could easily change that.
In 2011, the Nevada Gaming Control Board allowed its state’s sportsbooks to accept wagers on the outcome of the WSOP main event final table. The betting became mildly popular after the implementation of the “November Nine” format, when there was a four-month delay between setting the final table and playing to a winner.
But since sports betting was limited to in-person bets at a Silver State sportsbook, the market was incredibly small. And it was never very popular among gamblers.
Kalshi could serve a much wider audience and accept a larger number and size of wagers. They could also offer markets on field sizes of certain events, or Player of the Year winner.
Furthermore, a relationship with GGPoker could serve as the source to verify the outcomes. In a recent partnership with the NFL on FOX broadcast, FOX serves as the source for outcomes on all NFL-related markets.
