NHL And CFTC Sign Integrity Agreement For Prediction Markets

The NHL and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen oversight of prediction markets tied to professional hockey.

Good to Know

• The MOU covers NHL event contracts, players, games and future league events.
• The NHL already has prediction market deals with Kalshi and Polymarket.
• MLB signed a similar CFTC agreement two months earlier.

CFTC And NHL Deepen Prediction Market Oversight

Prediction markets have moved deeper into US sports, and the NHL now has a formal data-sharing setup with the federal agency that oversees licensed event contract platforms.

The agreement is non-binding, but it creates a direct channel between the league and the CFTC. Both sides will appoint representatives, share confidential information, coordinate on market integrity issues and monitor suspicious activity tied to NHL markets.

For the CFTC, the arrangement adds league-level information that can help detect fraud, insider trading and other abuses. For the NHL, it adds another layer to existing protections around betting and prediction trading.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said:

“Integrity has always been and remains paramount to the NHL and fundamental to the trust our fans and partners place in our game.

“Our agreement with the CFTC enhances the comprehensive integrity monitoring systems already in place and strengthens our ability to identify, deter, and address potential risks. This MOU reflects a shared commitment to transparency, oversight and protecting the integrity of the game.”

The NHL moved early into prediction markets compared with other US leagues. Its October agreements with Kalshi and Polymarket became the first deals between a major American professional sports league and prediction operators.

Those platforms had already provided trading data access to the NHL data distributor and IC360, the league betting integrity partner. The new CFTC agreement builds on that system rather than replacing it.

CFTC chairman Michael S. Selig said:

“I’m proud the CFTC and NHL have officially signed an MOU, furthering the agency’s commitment to improve data sharing between professional sports leagues and the Commission.”

“This agreement is another step toward safeguarding the integrity of sports and protecting market participants in prediction markets from insider trading, fraud, and other abuses. I applaud NHL Commissioner Bettman for collaborating with the CFTC and taking a leading role in protecting the integrity of professional hockey in our markets.”

The timing also places the NHL behind MLB in the growing link between sports leagues and federal prediction market oversight. MLB signed the first CFTC sports integrity MOU two months ago.