NEW YORK (VINnews) — Online prediction-market rivals Kalshi and Polymarket are using free groceries as a high-profile marketing stunt in New York City this week, turning supermarket aisles into the latest battleground for attention in the fast-growing industry, according to Business Insider.
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On Monday, Feb. 2, Kalshi reimbursed shoppers up to $50 for grocery purchases at a Manhattan supermarket, drawing long lines and a flurry of social media posts. The company said the promotion was aimed at introducing New Yorkers to its federally regulated prediction markets at a time when food prices remain a daily concern for many households.
After months of planning, we're excited to announce 'The Polymarket' is coming to New York City.
New York's first free grocery store.
We signed the lease. And we donated $1 million to Food Bank For NYC — an organization that changes how our city responds to hunger. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/BGMCWUMz8n
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) February 3, 2026
Polymarket, an offshore-based competitor popular for political betting, said it will escalate the gimmick later this week with a temporary “free grocery store” pop-up in the city, where shoppers will be able to take food at no cost. The company also said it plans to pair the promotion with a donation to a New York City food bank, Business Insider reported.
Thousands have already picked up their free Kalshi groceries!
We are being told we've already inspired other companies to keep up the initiative!
2 more hours to get yours
Westside Market | 84 3rd Ave. NYC pic.twitter.com/8R11OGODLu
— Kalshi (@Kalshi) February 3, 2026
The grocery giveaways come as Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration faces growing debate over affordability, cost-of-living pressures and the role of private actors stepping into gaps traditionally addressed by government. While City Hall has not commented on the stunts, the optics of free food arriving via tech startups — rather than public policy — have not gone unnoticed in a city where economic inequality remains a central political issue.
Both Kalshi and Polymarket allow users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events, including elections, economic data and geopolitical developments. The grocery-store stunts highlight how fiercely the companies are competing for visibility as prediction markets push further into the mainstream, Business Insider said.
It’s a tactic used by companies promoting online gambling. This way, the money saved on groceries will be spent on gambling.
Nothing is for free. NYC expects “rich people” to pay the bill.
Except the rich people are abandoning ship. And we know who’s gonna pick up the tab when the expected money makes more millionaires leave
is this stolen food being “resold”
Some people have forgotten the famous quote from Margaret Thatcher. “The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.”
That 1 million dollars will go in a week or two. Good luck finding other donors (i.e. suckers).
The program is not sustainable.
Meanwhile, Mamdani is spending $6 Million on opening up a free viewing platform at the top of a government municipal building.
This where the UN food destined to Gaza goes to.