US sues 3 states for trying to regulate prediction markets
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US government sues 3 states over prediction market regulations

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US government sues 3 states over prediction market regulations

On April 2, 2026, the federal government of the U.S. under President Donald Trump’s administration filed a lawsuit against Arizona, Connecticut, and Illinois to stop the states from trying to regulate prediction markets under state law, stressing that event contracts fall under federal supervision.

The lawsuits came after all three states sent cease and desist orders to prediction market operators like Kalshi, Crypto.com, and Polymarket, accusing them of offering illegal online gambling services. In the filings, the CFTC has stated it is the body responsible for regulating prediction markets, not the states.

CFTC Chairman Michael Selig wrote in a statement:

“The CFTC will continue to safeguard its exclusive regulatory authority over these markets and defend market participants against overzealous state regulators. Congress specifically rejected such a fragmented patchwork of state regulations because it resulted in poorer consumer protection and increased risk of fraud and manipulation.”

The U.S. government added to the complaints:

“This court should put an end to the ongoing efforts by defendants to undermine the uniform application of federal law.”

The federal government said that Connecticut and Illinois “misapprehend” prediction market contracts and that allowing states to regulate them will violate the U.S. Constitution.

Arizona’s, Connecticut’s, and Illinois’ governors and attorneys, Katie Hobbs and Kris Mayes; Ned Lamont and William ​Tong; and JB Pritzker and Kwame Raoul, respectively, have been named as defendants in the lawsuit. As a response, state officials have criticized the actions of the federal government.

Alla Basentsyan
Alla Basentsyan Content Writer

With a degree in politics & governance, research and writing has always been a strong side of mine. With AffPapa, I use my skills to present to the reader the latest news, articles, as well as interviews with industry representatives from the iGaming sphere in the most exciting but at the same time informative manner.

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