How to Trade Event Contracts
on Robinhood
Robinhood added sports and economic event contracts in 2024. They're available to existing users in 35+ US states with no extra account setup: you're trading in the same Kalshi and ForecastEx orderbooks as direct platform users, at $0.02 per contract.
What you need to know before you start
Sports contracts: $0.02/contract
Robinhood charges $0.01 per contract + $0.01 exchange fee. On 1,000 contracts this is $20. Sports event contracts are available in 35+ states: but not New Jersey.
Same orderbooks as direct users
Your sports contracts route through Kalshi's DCM. Political and economic contracts route through ForecastEx. The prices and liquidity are identical to trading directly.
Trade inside your existing brokerage
If you have a Robinhood account, you already have access. No separate KYC, no additional funding source. Add cash from your brokerage balance.
Tax reporting included
Robinhood includes event contract activity in your annual 1099. Net profits are ordinary income. The same 1099 covers your stocks, crypto, and event contracts.
How to start trading event contracts on Robinhood
- 1 Download the Robinhood appRobinhood event contracts are available inside the standard Robinhood app on iOS and Android. There is no separate app. If you already have Robinhood, update to the latest version: event contracts were added in late 2024 and are now in a dedicated tab.
- 2 Create or log into your accountIf you're a new user, create a Robinhood account at robinhood.com. You'll need your Social Security Number, date of birth, and a government ID for identity verification. Robinhood requires full brokerage KYC. If you already have an account, no extra steps are needed.
- 3 Fund your accountAdd funds via bank transfer (ACH) or wire. Funds typically clear in 3–5 business days for full access; Robinhood may offer instant access to small amounts. You can also use existing cash in your Robinhood account.
- 4 Navigate to Event ContractsIn the Robinhood app, look for the "Event Contracts" or "Predict" tab in the main navigation bar. This section is separate from stocks and ETFs. You'll see categories including Sports, Politics, and Economics.
- 5 Choose a contract and review the marketBrowse available markets. Each contract shows the current YES and NO prices (as cents per $1 of payout), the question, and the resolution date. A price of 45¢ on YES implies the market assigns a 45% probability to that outcome resolving YES.
- 6 Place your orderSelect YES or NO, enter the number of contracts you want, and review the fee: $0.01 per contract (Robinhood) + $0.01 exchange fee = $0.02 per contract. Confirm the order. You can use limit orders to set the exact price you're willing to pay, or market orders to fill immediately.
- 7 Track your positionsOpen positions appear in your Robinhood portfolio alongside your stocks. You can sell your contract before resolution if you want to take a profit early or cut a loss. At resolution, winning contracts pay $1 per contract (minus fees); losing contracts pay $0.
- 8 Tax reportingRobinhood will include your event contract activity in your annual 1099 form. Net event contract profits are reported as ordinary income. Keep records of your trades throughout the year and consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What sports event contracts are available on Robinhood?
Robinhood's sports event contracts are powered by Kalshi and cover major US professional leagues. Coverage was expanded in December 2025 to include parlay and prop bet-style contracts.
Game outcomes, division winners, Super Bowl champion, and selected player props
Game outcomes, conference and championship markets
Game outcomes, World Series markets, and division winners
Game outcomes and Stanley Cup markets
Selected CFB and CBB markets around major tournaments
⚠ Sports event contracts are not available in New Jersey. Economic and political contracts via ForecastEx are available more broadly. Check the Robinhood app for current availability in your state.
Is Robinhood cheaper than Kalshi direct?
It depends on your trade size and outcome
Robinhood charges $0.02 per contract regardless of outcome. Kalshi charges 0–7% of net profit on winning trades only.
- You make large profitable trades (e.g. 5–7% Kalshi fee on big wins is more than $0.02/contract)
- You mostly win (no loss-trade savings from Kalshi's zero fee on losses)
- You lose the trade (Kalshi charges nothing; Robinhood already charged $0.02/contract)
- You trade small sizes (Robinhood's per-contract fee dominates)
Common questions
Does Robinhood use Kalshi's orderbooks? +
Yes for sports contracts: Robinhood routes sports event contracts through Kalshi's DCM, and political/economic contracts through ForecastEx. You're trading in the same market as direct platform users.
Are sports event contracts available in my state? +
Sports contracts are available in 35+ states but not New Jersey. Economic and political contracts via ForecastEx have broader availability. Check the Robinhood app for your specific state.
How are Robinhood event contracts taxed? +
Robinhood includes event contract activity in your annual 1099. Net profits are ordinary income. Same tax treatment as trading directly on Kalshi.