Player unions representing the NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS and NHL asked the CFTC to bar contracts based on negative outcomes or events manipulable by one person. In a submission to the agency, they cited athlete safety and sports integrity risks; the CFTC’s comment period drew more than 1,500 submissions.
A CFTC decision could restrict the sports prediction contracts available to operators and their customers.
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Crypto.com and Robinhood have separately asked the US Supreme Court to clarify whether federal law gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission exclusive authority over sports event contracts, according to reports. Their petitions follow a Ninth Circuit ruling involving Nevada that rejected federal pre-emption of state gambling rules; Robinhood said it wants the court to review the cases together.
A bipartisan coalition of 41 state attorneys general asked the CFTC to clarify through rulemaking that it lacks jurisdiction over sports-related prediction-market contracts. The coalition argues states should regulate the products under their gambling laws; the CFTC is reviewing how to classify and regulate prediction markets.
A Minnesota Senate committee advanced a bill to the Senate floor that would prohibit most event contracts. Sponsor Sen. John Marty said the contracts do not comply with local laws; the report says the CFTC has challenged states’ efforts to regulate prediction markets.
The NFL wrote to prediction market operators on Thursday as part of its effort to remove certain betting products. The report named Kalshi and Polymarket among the platforms targeted by the league’s push.
Ohio Sen. Bill DeMora filed legislation to bring sports prediction markets under state sports-gambling rules and prohibit election-related event contracts. He said a federal appeals court ruling could help advance the proposals, though the bills would need to be reintroduced in 2027.