A fight between states and the federal government over who should regulate sports betting is heating up, as states accuse prediction markets like Kalshi of taking the exact same sports bets as gambling platforms without paying taxes or adhering to stricter controls.
Last Tuesday, Kalshi sued Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Governor J.B. Pritzker, and other officials after the state classified Kalshi and other prediction markets as unlicensed sports wagering operators.
It’s not the first legal battle between a prediction market and a state, but it is perhaps the most urgent for Kalshi, which is the biggest prediction market for sports bets. Across the board, prediction markets just had their biggest week ever, amid major sporting events like the NBA Finals, the World Cup, and the Stanley Cup. If the law stands, Kalshi would owe taxes no other state is charging and could face felony charges if violations are found.
