Kalshi traders see high chance of having over 5,000 data centers by 2027

Public backlash is growing against the construction of data centers, but Kalshi traders say it is more likely that the number of data centers planned or operational before the new year will exceed 5,000.

Prediction market platform Kalshi shows that there is a 75% chance that there will be more than 5,100 data centers proposed and operational before 2027. In just two weeks, the probability has increased from 60%.

Contract odds will be resolved and verified by Data Center Map, which lists planned and operating data centers on its website.

So far, there are more than 4,700 operational and planned data centers in the United States, according to Data Center Map. Among states, Virginia leads with more than 670 installations planned and online, followed by Texas with 537 and California with more than 200, according to Data Center Map.

Tech companies have been increasing their data center footprints in states like Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The construction has faced backlash from communities and activists who say such projects would increase utility costs for residents and consume significant amounts of water.

Last month, Bloomberg reported, citing close sources, that Oracle had sent its developer a “force majeure” notice related to its data center project in New Mexico in an effort to protect against higher expenses in case the project does not come online in 2028 as planned.

Oracle’s proposed data center also ran into problems this summer after New Mexico regulators rejected applications for a proposed gas pipeline to power it, Bloomberg reported.

Disclosure: CNBC and Kalshi have a business relationship that includes customer acquisition and minority investment.