NFL backs New Jersey push for state prediction market rules

The National Football League filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on October 8 supporting New Jersey’s effort to apply state gambling laws to sports-related prediction market contracts, arguing they should not be treated solely as federally regulated financial products. The filing backs New Jersey in its legal dispute involving Kalshi and asks the court to consider whether states can regulate sports event contracts offered on prediction markets. New Jersey asked the Supreme Court in September to review the case after federal appeals courts issued conflicting rulings on whether state or federal authorities have jurisdiction. The court is not expected to decide whether to take the case until at least December. The NFL argues that some contracts can create risks to game integrity because an individual player, coach or official could affect an outcome through a single action. It also says users should be at least 21 and contends the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which asserts federal oversight of the platforms, lacks sufficient staff to supervise the markets effectively. Those are the league’s positions in its brief, not findings by the court.