177% up to 5BTC + 77 Free Spins!
New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of 177% + 77 Free Spins
Ohio has ordered 10 prediction market companies to stop offering sports event contracts without a state gambling license. The October 16 compliance deadline also covers financial brokers that provide access to these markets.
Good to Know
A recent federal court decision in Illinois favored Kalshi and Coinbase, finding that sports event contracts likely qualify as swaps under federal commodities law. However, Ohio has taken the opposite regulatory approach.
On September 25, the Sixth US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Commodity Exchange Act does not override gambling laws in Ohio or Tennessee. The judges also found that Kalshi had not established that its sports contracts qualify as swaps.
Ohio has since extended its enforcement efforts beyond Kalshi, targeting Underdog, Gemini Titan, Coinbase, ProphetX, Novig, Robinhood Derivatives, Polymarket US, Plus500US Financial Services, Moomoo Financial and Webull Financial.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) wants written confirmation of compliance by October 16. Failure to comply could result in civil, administrative or criminal action.
Unlike federally regulated financial exchanges, licensed Ohio sportsbooks must follow state gambling rules, including age restrictions and consumer protection requirements.
OCCC Interim Executive Director Andromeda Morrison said:
“Because these wagers lack the protections Ohio law requires, particularly for young and vulnerable people, the Commission must take action to fulfill its statutory responsibilities, protect consumers, and maintain fairness and integrity in sports gaming across Ohio.”
The commission maintains that offering sports predictions through a federally regulated exchange does not remove the requirement for an Ohio sports betting license.
Kalshi faces separate litigation in Ohio, while Robinhood had already received a cease-and-desist order in March 2025.