Is Robinhood's Latest Product Gambling or Innovation?

Source The Motley Fool

Robinhood (NASDAQ: HOOD) has gotten a lot of attention for its NCAA tournament futures, and not in a good way. Many observers think this is akin to gambling, but is there a bigger story here? Travis Hoium digs into where these contracts could add value to the company and investors.

*Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of March 18, 2025. The video was published on March 19, 2025.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More »

Should you invest $1,000 in Robinhood Markets right now?

Before you buy stock in Robinhood Markets, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Robinhood Markets wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $720,291!*

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of March 18, 2025

Travis Hoium has positions in MGM Resorts International and Robinhood Markets. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Travis Hoium is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
ECB Policy Outlook for 2026: What It Could Mean for the Euro’s Next MoveWith the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.
Author  Mitrade
Dec 26, 2025
With the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.
placeholder
My Top 5 Stock Market Predictions for 2026Five 2026 market predictions written in a native, news-style voice: AI’s winners and losers, broader sector leadership, dividend demand, valuation cooling as the Shiller CAPE sits at 39 (Dec. 31, 2025), and quantum-computing bursts—while keeping all original facts and numbers unchanged.
Author  Mitrade
Jan 06, Tue
Five 2026 market predictions written in a native, news-style voice: AI’s winners and losers, broader sector leadership, dividend demand, valuation cooling as the Shiller CAPE sits at 39 (Dec. 31, 2025), and quantum-computing bursts—while keeping all original facts and numbers unchanged.
placeholder
Financial Markets 2026: Volatility Catalysts in Gold, Silver, Oil, and Blue-Chip Stocks—A CFD Trader's OutlookGet a comprehensive financial market 2026 outlook exploring key economic drivers, volatility catalysts in gold, oil and stocks, and what the evolving economic outlook means for cfd trading strategies and risk management on global markets.
Author  Rachel Weiss
Yesterday 11: 37
Get a comprehensive financial market 2026 outlook exploring key economic drivers, volatility catalysts in gold, oil and stocks, and what the evolving economic outlook means for cfd trading strategies and risk management on global markets.
placeholder
Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: Is the month-long rally over?Bitcoin (BTC) edges slightly lower so far this week, trading at $80,800 on Friday after being rejected around the key overhead supply zone. Institutional investors also show cautious signs, with BTC spot Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) recording an outflow of over $709 million through Thursday.
Author  Bitcoinist
Yesterday 10: 46
Bitcoin (BTC) edges slightly lower so far this week, trading at $80,800 on Friday after being rejected around the key overhead supply zone. Institutional investors also show cautious signs, with BTC spot Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) recording an outflow of over $709 million through Thursday.
placeholder
Financial Markets 2026: Volatility Catalysts in Gold, Silver, Oil, and Blue-Chip Stocks—A CFD Trader's OutlookGet a comprehensive financial market 2026 outlook exploring key economic drivers, volatility catalysts in gold, oil and stocks, and what the evolving economic outlook means for cfd trading strategies and risk management on global markets.
Author  Rachel Weiss
Yesterday 11: 37
Get a comprehensive financial market 2026 outlook exploring key economic drivers, volatility catalysts in gold, oil and stocks, and what the evolving economic outlook means for cfd trading strategies and risk management on global markets.
goTop
quote