Google has announced that it has banned advertisements of prediction markets in the state of Ohio, effective June 2, 2026.From January 2026, Google revealed that all U.S....
Google’s new policy to permit ads for prediction markets
On January 5, 2026, Google announced that advertising for prediction markets will be allowed starting from January 21, 2026.
The policy change is part of Google’s expansion of the financial advertising framework.
Access to ads will be limited to federally regulated entities operating either under the oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or the National Futures Association (NFA).
The new definition brands prediction markets as facilitators for accessing exchange-listed event contracts connected to economic indicators and sports outcomes, which differentiates them from gambling products.
Two categories will be allowed to post prediction market ads, starting with CFTC-approved Designated Contract Markets (DCM) platforms. The second category is brokerages registered with the NFA that provide third-party access to contracts listed by qualifying DCMs.
The DCM requirement is a big barrier for entry because extensive compliance systems, capital standards, and market surveillance capabilities are demanded to receive approval.
Violations in the regulated categories will allow Google to suspend accounts immediately after detection.
These amendments come after Google started to gradually loosen access to regulated sports betting ads across US states, but at the same time, tightened policies in other betting categories, such as horse racing.
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Google software engineer Michele Spagnuolo with gaining over $1.2 million by using insider information to trade on Polymarket.
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