Stock Markets July 8, 2026 05:53 PM

Burry Takes Stakes in Flutter and DraftKings, Citing Looming Regulation of Prediction Markets

Investor bets that prediction-market growth will face political and regulatory headwinds while adding JD.com exposure

By Sofia Navarro
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Michael Burry has acquired meaningful positions in sports-betting operators Flutter Entertainment and DraftKings, allocating roughly 60% of the paired stake to Flutter and 40% to DraftKings. He told readers he bought Flutter near $107 per share and DraftKings in the low $26s, and said prediction markets pose the primary threat to those businesses but expect political pressure will bring them under federal regulation and taxation. Burry also increased his holding in JD.com at $27.58, describing it as one of his top three positions and forecasting potential benefits to Hong Kong and Chinese stocks as AI and memory-chip enthusiasm eases in South Korea and Japan.

Burry Takes Stakes in Flutter and DraftKings, Citing Looming Regulation of Prediction Markets
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Key Points

  • Michael Burry purchased Flutter at about $107 per share and DraftKings in the low $26s, allocating the pair roughly 60/40 toward Flutter.
  • Burry identified prediction markets as the principal threat to Flutter and DraftKings because event contracts can be offered nationwide under CFTC oversight while avoiding state gaming taxes; he expects political pressure will lead to regulation and taxation of those markets.
  • He also bought more JD.com shares at $27.58, designating JD as one of his top three positions and anticipating potential upside for Hong Kong and Chinese stocks if AI and memory-chip enthusiasm unwinds in South Korea and Japan.

Investor Michael Burry, known for his contrarian market moves, disclosed fresh purchases in two major sports-betting platforms and added to a significant Chinese equity holding.

Burry said he purchased shares of Flutter Entertainment at approximately $107 each and bought DraftKings shares "in the low $26s." The two stakes together form a full-sized position weighted about 60/40 in favor of Flutter at present, though he noted the possibility of making each a full position later.

His rationale centers on prediction markets. Burry identified those markets as the principal risk confronting Flutter and DraftKings because type of event contracts traded there can be offered nationwide under Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight while bypassing state-level gaming taxes. He described prediction markets as platforms that allow traders to buy and sell contracts tied to the outcomes of events including sports, elections and economic data.

Noting a regulatory inconsistency, Burry said prediction markets operate in what he called a loophole alongside a gambling industry that is heavily regulated and taxed. He wrote, "I believe that the political climate will not tolerate this," and added that he expects prediction markets to be brought eventually under regulation and taxation.

Burry also commented on the market context for the specific equities. He said Flutter, whose shares have fallen about 50% year-to-date as of the last close, remains an attractive business with substantial scale despite prior capital misallocation. DraftKings, down roughly 21% for the year as of the last close, was described by Burry as reaching an inflection point as an operating company.

Separately, Burry reported buying additional shares of JD.com at $27.58 and called JD one of his top three positions. He further stated his expectation that Hong Kong and Chinese equities could benefit if AI and memory-chip enthusiasm cools in South Korea and Japan.


Contextual note - The comments reflect Burry's stated views and reported purchases; they also highlight regulatory and market dynamics that he sees as drivers of future valuation and risk for the named companies.

Risks

  • Regulatory risk for sportsbook operators and prediction markets - potential federal oversight and taxation could alter competitive dynamics and profitability for gaming and trading platforms.
  • Tax-treatment disparity - prediction markets currently operating under CFTC oversight may avoid state gaming taxes, creating political and legal scrutiny that could change cost structures for affected companies in the gambling sector.
  • Market-rotation risk tied to technology sentiment - Burry expects Hong Kong and Chinese stocks to benefit as AI and memory-chip enthusiasm unwinds in South Korea and Japan, an outcome that depends on shifting investor sentiment in semiconductor and technology sectors.

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