Sports streaming giant DAZN has signed a landmark deal with ADI Predictstreet, the first official FIFA prediction market partner, to embed blockchain-based prediction features directly into live broadcasts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to the joint announcement on April 17, the integration will allow viewers to participate in real-time predictions, opinion polls, and bet on smart contract-based outcomes before, during, and after matches.
Partnership Details and FIFA Endorsement
The partnership covers DAZN's entire sports portfolio, with the World Cup as the launch platform. ADI Predictstreet was appointed by FIFA on April 2 under a multi-year agreement, making it the federation's first official prediction market partner. The platform runs on ADI Chain, described as the first institutional Layer 2 blockchain for stablecoins and real-world assets in the MENA region. ADI Chain utilizes ZKsync's Airbender zero-knowledge proof technology and has been audited by OpenZeppelin and Hacken. Additionally, ADI Chain provides settlement infrastructure for a dirham-backed stablecoin authorized by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.
Licensing and Regulatory Controversy
Gibraltar's Gambling Division granted Predict Street Ltd a betting intermediary license under the Gambling Act 2005 on March 26, making it the first licensed prediction market operator in the territory and, according to authorities, the first officially licensed in Europe. Gibraltar's Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, Nigel Feetham, called the approval "record-breaking" and linked it to the territory's economic response to UK gambling tax increases. However, countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Portugal have restricted or blocked prediction market operators. Importantly, the license currently only allows ADI Predictstreet to serve clients within Gibraltar itself (population ~40,000), leaving the platform unlicensed in the broader markets targeted by the FIFA and DAZN agreements. Moreover, ADI Predictstreet does not work with IC360 or Sportradar, the two integrity monitoring firms FIFA uses for World Cup betting oversight, and no alternative watchdog has been disclosed.
DAZN's Second Prediction Market Deal
This marks DAZN's second prediction market partnership in 2026. On January 20, DAZN announced a deal with Polymarket, integrating Polymarket's real-time odds data into live streams and planning to enable direct contract trading within the app. DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev described the ADI partnership as a step toward "embedding real-time predictions directly into the live viewing experience," while ADI Predictstreet CEO Dimitrios Psarrakis called it a "pivotal moment for audience engagement in sports."
Market Outlook and Risks
The collaboration brings crypto prediction markets to mainstream sports audiences, but regulatory compliance and user protection remain critical. Analysts caution that actively promoting unlicensed prediction features outside Gibraltar could invite legal challenges. However, FIFA and DAZN express confidence in ADI Chain's technical compliance and emphasize strict adherence to all local laws. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, this innovative model could set a new standard for the convergence of sports streaming and blockchain technology.