Prediction Market Legality Checker

Every prediction market platform has different state-level availability, and it changes as courts issue new rulings. This tool gives you an instant snapshot of what’s available where you live — across all eight major platforms — for both sports and non-sports markets.

Last updated: July 2026 — added OG, ProphetX, Underdog Predict, Fanatics Markets, and Novig; updated Kalshi to current sports-only geofencing (7 states), Polymarket to its open US status, and the July 2026 New York ruling.

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The legal landscape for prediction markets is evolving rapidly. Court rulings and regulatory actions may change the status described here at any time. Consult a licensed attorney for advice on your specific situation.


Data reflects published enforcement actions and platform disclosures as of July 2026. Status may change as courts issue rulings.

Understanding the Results

Why Availability Varies by State

Prediction markets are regulated at the federal level by the CFTC, which treats event contracts as derivatives under the Commodity Exchange Act. State gambling commissions disagree — they argue sports event contracts are functionally sports bets subject to state gambling law. That conflict is the core legal question driving all current litigation.

The result: sports contracts are the battleground. As of July 2026, Kalshi geofences sports markets in seven states (Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Ohio), Arizona has filed criminal charges, and a July 2026 federal ruling allowed New York to pursue gambling enforcement. Non-sports contracts — politics, economics, crypto, weather — face far less opposition. For every court case and regulatory action, see our complete legal guide.

Beyond enforcement, several platforms simply chose smaller footprints: Fanatics Markets operates only where Fanatics Sportsbook doesn’t (24 states), Underdog Predict covers about 27 states, and Novig’s sweepstakes product runs in 34.

What the Badges Mean

  • Available — the platform accepts sign-ups and offers the listed market category in your state.
  • Sports Limited / Geofenced — the platform operates in your state but blocks sports contracts there under a court order or enforcement action. Non-sports categories still work.
  • Sweepstakes — available, but as a sweepstakes product without federal fund protections (currently only Novig).
  • Not Available / Paused — the platform doesn’t serve your state, either by its own footprint choice or regulatory pressure.

A “geofenced” or “not available” status does not necessarily mean using prediction markets is illegal for you — the underlying question of whether CFTC jurisdiction preempts state gambling law is unresolved and headed for appellate courts.

What to Do If Your State Is Restricted

  • Non-sports markets are almost always available. Kalshi’s politics, economics, and culture markets operate in all 50 states, and FanDuel Predicts’ financial markets are nationwide.
  • Check the alternative platforms. The 2026 wave means most states now have several options — OG, ProphetX, and Polymarket US each cover 49 states with different exclusions.
  • The landscape moves fast. The CFTC’s proposed event-contract rulemaking closes comments in August 2026, and appellate rulings are pending. Bookmark this page.

Common Questions

Are prediction markets legal in my state?

At the federal level, yes — CFTC-regulated platforms operate in all 50 states. The contested category is sports event contracts, currently geofenced on Kalshi in seven states with New York enforcement proceeding after a July 2026 ruling. Non-sports markets remain widely available everywhere. Read the full legal analysis.

Which states have restricted prediction markets?

Sports contracts are geofenced on Kalshi in Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, and Ohio as of July 2026. OG excludes Arizona entirely and restricts sports in seven states (including New Jersey and Nevada); Polymarket US and ProphetX exclude Nevada. New York’s status is in flux after a federal judge allowed state enforcement in July 2026.

Which prediction market platforms work in all 50 states?

For non-sports markets, Kalshi and FanDuel Predicts cover all 50 states. Polymarket US (49 states, iOS), ProphetX (49 + DC), and OG (49) are one state short each. Fanatics Markets, Underdog Predict, and Novig chose smaller footprints — check the tool above.

Are sports prediction markets legal?

They’re the active legal battleground. The CFTC classifies them as regulated derivatives; state gambling commissions call them sports bets. Federal courts are split — Kalshi won early injunctions in Nevada and New Jersey but lost in Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York (July 2026). More than 36 states have asserted regulatory authority, and the CFTC’s proposed rulemaking may reshape the rules in 2027. See our legal guide.

Will more states restrict prediction markets?

Likely, at least for sports contracts — the July 2026 New York ruling gave states a working playbook, and Arizona has shown states will escalate to criminal charges. The CFTC maintains exclusive-jurisdiction claims, and most observers expect appellate courts, possibly the Supreme Court, to settle it. Non-sports markets are expected to stay broadly available throughout.

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