Kalshi vs DraftKings for NBA games
DraftKings quotes American odds with its margin built in. Kalshi lists a price in cents and charges a separate fee. Converting both to a probability shows which one is actually cheaper on a given NBA game.
| Kalshi | DraftKings | |
|---|---|---|
| Price format | Cents per $1 contract (62¢ ≈ 62%) | American odds (−163 ≈ 62%) |
| Where the cost sits | Explicit taker fee, about 7% × p × (1 − p) | Built into the odds as vig, often 4–5% on a two-way market |
| Who sets the price | Other traders on an order book | The sportsbook’s trading team |
| Limits | Size available on the order book | Bet limits set by the book, sometimes lowered for winning accounts |
| Selling early | Sell your contract at the current bid | Cash-out offer set by the sportsbook |
Tonight’s biggest Kalshi–Polymarket gaps
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Convert both prices before you compare
A 62¢ Kalshi contract and a −163 DraftKings line both imply about 62%. But the DraftKings price includes margin on both sides, so the fair probability is lower once you remove it. Courtside removes the margin across several sportsbooks to build its fair value.
Use the odds converter to switch between cents and American odds, and the no-vig calculator to strip the margin from a two-way line.
When the exchange wins
Exchange prices are often tighter on popular games because traders compete on price. After fees, a Kalshi contract can be cheaper than the equivalent sportsbook bet. The reverse also happens, especially when the exchange book is thin.
Common questions
Is Kalshi better than DraftKings for NBA bets?
Neither is always better. Compare the price after fees and vig for each game. Courtside shows the exchange prices next to a margin-removed sportsbook fair value.
How do I convert Kalshi cents to American odds?
Divide by 100 for a probability. Above 50%, American odds are −(p ÷ (1 − p)) × 100; below 50%, they are (1 − p) ÷ p × 100. The odds converter does this for you.
Does Kalshi have vig?
Not in the price itself. Kalshi charges an explicit taker fee instead. The spread between the bid and the ask is a further cost if you trade in and out.
Is Kalshi legal where DraftKings is not?
Availability differs by state and is changing quickly. Check each platform’s current terms for your location.