Missouri AG Sends C&Ds to Sports Prediction Platforms

The Show-Me State is joining the growing fight to regulate sports prediction markets. 

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway confirmed she sent cease-and-desist letters to all prediction platforms offering sports contracts in the state. In them, she accuses these operators of working outside of the Missouri sports betting market by offering unlicensed and unlawful betting in the state. 

“Missourians voted for a safe, well‑regulated sports wagering market that supports public education and addresses problem gambling. Companies cannot repackage sports bets as ‘event contracts’ to avoid Missouri law. We will enforce the rules voters approved and protect consumers,” AG Hanaway shared in a press release. “Any company that wants to offer sports wagering in Missouri must be licensed by the Missouri Gaming Commission, pay the required taxes and fees, and ensure no one under 21 can place a bet.”

Currently, most prediction platforms set their minimum age to 18. They are also exempt from state taxes and regulations because the Commodity Futures Trading Commission claims authority over the industry.

This framework has led almost all US states to oppose the industry. Some have simply asked the CFTC or federal lawmakers to crack down on it, while others are actively engaged in lawsuits against operators offering sports contracts.

Missouri’s decision comes as the US Supreme Court reviews a case that will officially determine the legality of sports markets.

Kalshi Trying To Make Changes

As noted in our official Kalshi review, the prediction platform was among the first to launch sports markets in the US. They went live in January 2025, and relied on the CFTC to loudly refuse state requests for regulations. However, that has changed as the company has grown. 

Kalshi became the first native prediction market to join the National Council on Problem Gambling. It did so to show its new commitment to the area and open dialogue with states to find common ground. Unfortunately, state-level groups' exit over the operator’s inclusion ended up stealing the headlines.

The prediction leader also went to Texas to sit down with state lawmakers about their sports markets. Despite knowing it would be a hostile dialogue, it still showed up instead of relying on federal protections.

Now, Kalshi finds itself stuck between the CFTC and state lawmakers. It's clear the operator is focused on finding common ground with states, but many don’t seem interested.