Zuckerberg reportedly wants a Polymarket clone — but without real money

Mark Zuckerberg directed a Meta team to develop an application resembling prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi, as reported by The New York Times. This internal project, codenamed "Arena," will not involve real money wagering. Instead, users are expected to place bets using a points-based system. The goal is to create a platform for users to speculate on future events, similar to existing prediction markets, but within Meta's ecosystem and without financial risk. This initiative suggests Meta's interest in exploring novel engagement mechanisms and potentially gathering insights into user prediction behaviors. The development of "Arena" indicates a strategic move to experiment with decentralized-like prediction functionalities, albeit in a simulated environment. The team is reportedly working on the core mechanics of event creation, user participation, and outcome resolution within the points-based framework. This approach aims to foster user engagement and provide a low-barrier entry for exploring prediction market concepts.