Kalshi Sues New York Regulator in Fight Over Sports Betting Authority

Prediction market Kalshi has filed suit against the New York State Gaming Commission in Manhattan federal court, seeking to block a cease-and-desist order that accused the platform of offering unlicensed sports wagering in the state. 

The company argues New York lacks authority over its markets because Kalshi operates as a federally regulated exchange under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

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Kalshi’s Legal Argument

The complaint was filed on Monday, with Kalshi alleging that the Gaming Commission and its officials threatened “imminent civil penalties and fines” tied to sports event contracts and asked the court for a preliminary and permanent injunction. 

Earlier this year, Kalshi self-certified sports-event contracts with the CFTC. Self-certification is a process where a DCM lists a new contract by attesting it complies with the CEA and CFTC rules. These contracts let users take opposite positions on outcomes like whether a team wins or advances.

But the New York State Gaming Commission says this is unlicensed sports betting under state law and has threatened fines and enforcement. In short, Kalshi’s self-certification doesn’t override New York’s gambling laws, meaning the state can still classify the same product as illegal gambling.

So, Kalshi’s legal argument is 1) because the CEA gives the CFTC exclusive authority over DCM-listed derivatives, state gambling rules cannot reclassify or restrict these contracts and 2) allowing states to impose separate regimes would create the fragmented system Congress intended to prevent.

A Difficult Situation For Kalshi

It’s quite a messy situation Kalshi is in: if the prediction market ignores the situation, it risks civil or criminal penalties, but if it complies, it could suffer significant economic and reputational harm and even face CFTC action for failing to meet DCM Core Principles.

A judge must now decide if federal derivatives law preempts the state’s sports-betting rules.

If Kalshi wins, New York can’t regulate these contracts. If New York wins, Kalshi must geoblock or get a state license.

At the same time, Kalshi is currently reviewing several investment proposals from VCs and investors that could push the platform to a valuation of roughly US$12 billion (AU$18.7 billion).

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