IG Group Plans U.K. Prediction Markets, With Underdog Deal Worth Up to About $1.3 Billion

IG Group plans to offer financial event contracts to U.K. professionals in Q4 2026, followed by prediction markets in early 2027, as it pursues an acquisition of U.S. operator Underdog. The first phase is aimed at professional clients. IG plans to expand the markets to politics, entertainment and sports in early 2027. Its U.K. offering already combines trading, investing and crypto. IG View Limited has a pending application for a remote general betting license covering real events. No license is listed as granted for that application.