CFTC Files Amicus Brief Supporting Kalshi Against Ohio Prediction Market Complaint

According to The Block, the CFTC filed an amicus brief on Tuesday (May 13) in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, backing Kalshi against Ohio's 2025 complaint that accused the platform of operating as unlicensed sports betting. The federal agency challenged Ohio's authority, arguing the state is overstepping federal jurisdiction.

The CFTC has escalated its fight with states over prediction market oversight, having sued five states—Wisconsin, Illinois, Arizona, Connecticut, and New York—in recent months. However, 38 state attorneys general, led by New York's Letitia James, filed a competing amicus brief last month supporting Massachusetts' lawsuit against Kalshi, arguing that prediction markets cannot ignore state gambling laws.