Are prediction markets legal in Ohio?
2026-10-17
Ohio is one of the most active states against prediction markets. Its Casino Control Commission won at the Sixth Circuit against Kalshi in September 2026, proposed a $5 million penalty against it, and sent cease-and-desist letters to ten more operators on October 2, 2026.
| Platform | Status in Ohio (October 17, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Kalshi | Available — state action contested |
| Polymarket US | Available — state action contested |
| Novig | Available — state action contested |
| PredictIt | Available |
| Robinhood | Available — state action contested |
| DraftKings Predictions | No sports contracts |
| FanDuel Predicts | No sports contracts |
Prediction markets are heavily contested in Ohio. As of October 17, 2026, the state has beaten Kalshi at the Sixth Circuit and ordered ten other operators, including Polymarket, Novig, ProphetX and Robinhood, to stop offering sports contracts by October 16. We couldn’t confirm how each platform responded, so check the app before trading.
Ohio’s position
Ohio legalised online and retail sports betting from January 1, 2023, under the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and sportsbooks must verify that patrons are at least 21. The Commission treats sports event contracts as unlicensed sports gaming:
- March 31, 2025: cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com.
- April 14, 2026: a notice of intent to impose a $5 million civil penalty on Kalshi. This is a proposed penalty with a right to a hearing, not a final fine.
- October 2, 2026: cease-and-desist letters to ten operators (Coinbase, Gemini Titan, Moomoo, Novig, Plus500US, Polymarket, ProphetX, Robinhood, Underdog and Webull), with an October 16 deadline (reported by CDC Gaming and SBC Americas).
Kalshi in Ohio
Kalshi sued Ohio regulators in federal court. The court denied it a preliminary injunction, and on September 25, 2026 the Sixth Circuit affirmed. It held that Kalshi “has not shown that its sports-event contracts satisfy the statutory definition of a ‘swap.’” The CFTC had filed a brief supporting Kalshi. Kalshi petitioned for rehearing by the full Sixth Circuit in October 2026, and that petition is pending. See is Kalshi legal?
Other platforms
- Polymarket US, Novig, ProphetX and Robinhood: each received the October 2 letter. Some third-party sites now list Ohio as excluded by Novig, but Novig’s own help centre still names only Nevada, Arizona and Michigan.
- PredictIt: no Ohio action found.
- DraftKings and FanDuel don’t offer sports contracts in Ohio, where they run licensed sportsbooks.
For every state side by side, see our legality tracker.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kalshi legal in Ohio?
It's contested. The Ohio Casino Control Commission sent Kalshi a cease-and-desist in March 2025, a federal court refused to block it, and the Sixth Circuit affirmed on September 25, 2026. The Commission has also proposed a $5 million penalty (not final). Kalshi has asked the full Sixth Circuit to rehear the case.
Which prediction markets got Ohio cease-and-desist letters in October 2026?
Ten operators, with a compliance deadline of October 16, 2026, as reported by CDC Gaming and SBC Americas: Coinbase, Gemini Titan, Moomoo, Novig, Plus500US, Polymarket, ProphetX, Robinhood, Underdog and Webull. Kalshi wasn't on that list because it was already in litigation.
Is sports betting legal in Ohio?
Yes. Online and retail sports betting launched on January 1, 2023, regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Under Ohio law, sportsbooks must verify that patrons are at least 21.
Sources
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit — KalshiEX v. Schuler / Orgel (September 25, 2026)
- Justia — KalshiEX v. Schuler docket, S.D. Ohio 2:25-cv-01165
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3775 (sports gaming; 21+)
- CFTC — Press release 9230-26: amicus brief in the Sixth Circuit (May 2026)
- 13 ABC — Ohio Casino Control Commission issues cease-and-desist to three companies (March 31, 2025; secondary)
- SBC Americas — Ohio regulator intends $5M Kalshi fine (April 15, 2026; secondary)
- CDC Gaming — Ohio regulator sends cease-and-desist letters to 10 prediction platforms (October 2026; secondary)
- DeFi Rate — Kalshi asks full Sixth Circuit to review (October 2026; secondary)
Last checked:
Not legal or betting advice. 18+ (21+ where required). Prediction markets involve risk of loss — only trade what you can afford to lose. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (National Problem Gambling Helpline, 24/7).