NFL Urges Courts to Let States Regulate Prediction Markets, Calls Them Sports Gambling

The National Football League filed an amicus brief on Thursday, arguing that prediction markets are a form of sports gambling and should be regulated by states. The league warned that billions of dollars will be bet on NFL games each season and that any delay from the Court would increase consumer harm and risk to game integrity. It has sent letters to operators objecting to markets on coaching, officiating, injuries and other insider‑sensitive outcomes. While the NFL has not partnered with prediction markets, it does have deals with official online sportsbooks. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) says it has been in contact with the NFL and that the league declined to sign a memorandum of understanding that would facilitate cooperation. Kalshi, a major prediction‑market operator, criticized the NFL for not sharing data and highlighted its partnerships with other U. S. sports leagues. New Jersey is challenging a federal appeals court ruling that favored Kalshi’s view that federal commodities law overrides state gambling regulations. The debate centers on whether a federal or state framework best protects consumers and preserves the integrity of NFL games.