NFL asks Supreme Court to let states regulate prediction markets instead of federal regulators
The NFL takes its case to the Supreme Court
The National Football League has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking that individual states, not the federal government, regulate prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.
The NFL joins a growing list of opponents to federal oversight of these platforms. They include state governments, former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and former Senator Chris Dodd, who sponsored the law prediction market operators say gives the CFTC authority.
What the NFL is arguing
In its Thursday filing, the NFL said it had raised concerns with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission about how prediction markets conduct sports wagers. The league says the CFTC has not responded.
The NFL told the court that the current situation leaves betting practices that "pose real challenges to game integrity and consumer protection."
The league also pointed out that it has faced its own troubles getting a response. Kalshi spokesperson Elisabeth Diana said the company has tried to work with the NFL multiple times.
"We have consistently tried to engage proactively and constructively with the NFL to collaborate on market integrity with no response," Diana said.
Kalshi noted that it has partnerships with several other professional sports leagues, including Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League. Diana said all but the NFL have been willing to share data and collaborate on game integrity.
Federal courts are split
The question of who should regulate prediction markets is now at a crossroads. One federal court has agreed with Kalshi that the CFTC should be the sole federal regulator. Two other federal courts have sided with the states' position that sports betting belongs under state gambling laws.
The NFL called this divided legal landscape "uncertain and hazardous" in its filing.
Other briefs filed this week
Gensler and Dodd also filed briefs with the Supreme Court this week. Gensler, the former head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, supported state-level regulation. Dodd, the former senator who wrote the original bill, also sided with the states despite being the author of the law the CFTC relies on.
What is confirmed
The NFL filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking that states regulate prediction markets. Other filers this week include Gary Gensler and former Senator Chris Dodd. Federal courts are divided on whether the CFTC or states should oversee these platforms. Kalshi has partnerships with MLB and the NHL but not the NFL.
Why this matters
Prediction markets have grown rapidly, allowing users to bet on real-world outcomes using cryptocurrency. The outcome of this Supreme Court case will determine whether these platforms answer to one federal regulator or dozens of state gambling authorities. A state-by-state regulatory patchwork could make compliance far more complex for companies like Kalshi and Polymarket.
What happens next
The Supreme Court will decide whether to hear the case and rule on who has authority over prediction markets. No timeline for a decision has been announced.
Sources
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.