Jaime Costello has left her role as director of programmes at the National Council on Problem Gambling earlier than planned, according to the report. Her departure came after prediction-market company Kalshi joined the organisation and pledged $2m, the report says.
The departure changes leadership at a gambling-related harm organisation following Kalshi’s membership and pledge.
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The Ohio Casino Control Commission has ended its relationship with the National Council on Problem Gambling after the group accepted a donation from Kalshi, according to the report. Executive director Andromeda Morrison said the commission did not want an association with organisations linked to companies it considers to be engaged in illegal gambling in Ohio. NCPG has said accepting the donation did not amount to endorsing Kalshi.
Kalshi said its sports event contracts should not be treated as traditional sports bets, arguing that users trade against one another through an order book while the platform earns transaction fees. The company favours federal oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, while states challenging its activity argue that the contracts fall under state gambling laws.
It was reported that Nevada’s problem gambling council decided to end its affiliation with NCPG. The decision followed the national organisation’s partnership with Kalshi, whose event contracts face a dispute with Nevada authorities.
It was reported that NCPG defended its partnership with Kalshi. The council had made Kalshi the first member of its Financial Services & Trading category and described prediction markets as gambling-like platforms.
Reportedly, the MGCB ended ties with the National Council on Problem Gambling over Kalshi’s inclusion. A Minnesota senator also urged the organisation to drop the prediction-market operator.