Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes investor in US-based prediction market company

REMOVES:"REQUESTED"

​​​​​​​By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has become a shareholder in the prediction market platform Kalshi, the Greek star confirmed.

"The internet is full of opinions. I decided it was time to make some of my own," Antetokounmpo posted Friday on US social media platform X. "Today, I'm joining Kalshi as a shareholder."

Kalshi, a platform where bets can be placed on sports, current events and various topics, announced that Antetokounmpo will be banned from trading in NBA-related markets.

"As an active player in the NBA, Antetokounmpo will be forbidden from trading on markets related to the NBA, per Kalshi's strict terms of service that ban insider trading and market manipulation," Kalshi said in a statement.

The fact that the announcement came one day after the trade deadline and an NBA star directly entered into a commercial deal with a gambling company has reignited the debate about active athlete-betting relationships.

Last year, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier were arrested by the FBI and suspended from their teams on charges of illegal gambling.