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The NFL has joined the legal push against sports-related prediction markets, filing a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of state and tribal gambling regulators.
At issue is whether platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket should be overseen mainly by federal commodities regulators or by state and tribal gaming authorities. The league argued that current federal oversight is too loose and creates risks for both consumers and the integrity of NFL games.
NFL says federal oversight is too lax
In its filing, the NFL said prediction markets "pose real challenges to game integrity and consumer protection." The league argued that federally regulated firms are not subject to the same oversight framework used by state gaming regulators.
According to the brief, that gap is allowing wagering on outcomes that could be manipulated by the actions of a single player and is also permitting betting by people younger than 21. The NFL urged the court to move quickly, saying, "Billions of dollars will be bet on NFL games through prediction markets each season, and any delay from the court will result in increasing consumer harm and risk to game integrity."
Kalshi, CFTC and other voices push back
Kalshi disputed the suggestion that it has ignored league concerns. Spokesperson Elisabeth Diana said the company had "consistently tried to engage proactively and constructively with the NFL to collaborate on market integrity with no response."
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission also responded, saying it has been in contact with the NFL "since day 1" regarding rulemaking and policy priorities. The agency called it "unfortunate" that the league did not secure an arrangement with the CFTC that could have helped both sides cooperate and exchange information tied to market integrity.
The NFL’s position was echoed in separate briefs from former CFTC Chair Gary Gensler and former Sen. Chris Dodd. Gensler argued Congress did not move sports-betting authority from the states to the CFTC, while Dodd said the Dodd-Frank law was never meant to authorize nationwide sports betting through derivatives markets or override state and tribal gaming regulation.
Why this case matters
The dispute could shape how sports event contracts and similar prediction products are regulated across the U.S. For bettors, operators and regulators, the central question is whether these markets will continue to sit primarily under federal commodities oversight or face stronger state and tribal gambling controls.
The case is before the Supreme Court under docket No. 26-299.
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Source: As reported by Jesse Hamilton, Helene Braun.
