Novig: How the US Sports Prediction Market Works
Novig is a sports prediction market in the United States. Instead of betting against a bookmaker, users trade contracts on game outcomes with each other, and Novig earns from fees rather than from players' losses. This guide explains how it works, what it costs, and why Malaysian users cannot sign up.
From Sportsbook to Regulated Exchange
Novig was founded by Jacob Fortinsky and Kelechi Ukah. It started as a sportsbook licensed in the US state of Colorado, then moved to a sweepstakes model before applying to become a federally regulated exchange. The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approved its application in June 2026, so its sports contracts are now regulated as financial derivatives, like Kalshi's. Unlike Kalshi, which covers economics, weather and politics as well as sport, Novig lists sports markets only.
How Trading on Novig Works
Each contract pays 1 US dollar if its outcome happens and nothing if it does not. The price, between 0 and 1 dollar, works as the market's estimate of the chance: a contract at 0.40 dollars implies about a 40% chance. Novig offers the markets a sportsbook would, including moneylines, spreads, player props, futures and parlays.
You either take a price that another user is already offering, or set your own price and wait for someone to match it. Because users trade with each other, Novig says it does not limit winning players, a common complaint about sportsbooks in the US.
Novig Fees
According to Novig's fee schedule, only the user who takes an existing price (the taker) pays a fee, and the user whose order was waiting (the maker) pays nothing.
| Trade type | Taker fee per contract |
|---|---|
| Pre-game straight trades (app and web) | No fee |
| Live (in-game) straight trades | 0.06 × price × (1 − price) |
| Futures straight trades | 0.06 × price × (1 − price), except golf and tennis |
| Parlays | 0.10 × price × (1 − price), included in the quoted price |
Novig's own example: taking 100 contracts on a live market at 50 cents costs 50 dollars plus a 1.50 dollar fee. If the outcome wins, you receive 100 dollars. Like the fees on Kalshi and Polymarket, the charge is highest at 50 cents and shrinks as the price moves towards 0 or 1 dollar.
A traditional bookmaker charges nothing separately but builds a margin into every price. Our guide to the margin hidden in football odds shows how to measure it, so you can compare the two models.
Can Malaysians Use Novig?
No. Novig's eligibility page says it is available across the US except Nevada, Arizona and Michigan, and that eligibility depends on where you are physically located each time you trade. Users must be 21 or older and pass identity checks that can include a US Social Security number. It is not available outside the United States, and it is not licensed in Malaysia.
For Malaysian readers, Novig is mainly worth knowing as an example of where sports betting is heading in the US. For the platforms that do not block Malaysia, and the risks all of them share, see our overview of prediction markets and how they work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Novig?
A sports prediction market in the United States, regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, where users trade contracts on game outcomes with each other instead of betting against a bookmaker.
Can I use Novig from Malaysia?
No. Novig is only available to users physically located in eligible US states, and identity checks can require a US Social Security number. It is not licensed in Malaysia.
How much are Novig fees?
Pre-game straight trades on the app and website have no fee. Taking a price on live and most futures markets costs 0.06 times price times (1 minus price) per contract, and parlays include a fee of 0.10 times price times (1 minus price). Makers pay no fee.
Is Novig legal in the US?
Novig operates as a CFTC-regulated exchange, approved in June 2026. It says it is available nationwide except Nevada, Arizona and Michigan, to users aged 21 and over.
How is Novig different from Kalshi?
Both are CFTC-regulated US exchanges with similar fee formulas. Novig lists sports markets only, while Kalshi also covers economics, weather, politics and culture and has expanded to other countries.
How is Novig different from a sportsbook?
On Novig you trade against other users and pay a fee on some trades. A sportsbook sets the odds, takes the other side of your bet and builds its margin into the price.