The National Football League has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a dispute over who regulates prediction markets, arguing that sports-based contracts on platforms such as Kalshi should be treated as gambling under state law. The NFL’s position is presented through an amicus brief filed in support of New Jersey regulators.
Across reports, the league’s core argument is that wagering tied to sporting outcomes is functionally “gambling,” not a federal financial instrument subject to oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Outlets also note the NFL’s amicus brief aligns it with state authorities and with other parties opposing federal control, including Gary Gensler and at least one author connected to the law at issue.
Some coverage highlights the stakes by citing the heavy role of NFL-related trading volume on Kalshi, with multiple outlets pointing to data suggesting football bets make up a large share of the platform’s activity. Other reports emphasize the broader legal question before the court: whether regulation belongs primarily to federal agencies or to states acting under their gambling frameworks.
