Kalshi Says It Isn’t a Gambling Platform But Nonetheless Joins the National Council on Problem Gambling

Posted on: May 18, 2026, 11:47h. 

Last updated on: May 18, 2026, 11:47h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Kalshi and the National Council on Problem Gambling are partnering to promote responsible trading
  • Kalshi maintains that it isn’t a gambling operator but a financial instrument
  • Kalshi’s trading markets on sports have faced pushback from the gaming industry

Kalshi argues against claims that its sports trading markets constitute gambling. Nonetheless, the prediction market leader is joining the only national nonprofit dedicated to mitigating gambling-related harms.

Kalshi, CFTC, prediction markets, sports betting regulation, federal vs state law
A stock photograph shows a Kalshi trading line on how long the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. Kalshi is teaming up with the National Council on Problem Gambling to promote responsible trading. (Image: Getty)

On Monday, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) announced Kalshi as its newest member. To satisfy Kalshi’s claims that it isn’t a gambling operator, the NCPG, based in Washington, DC, established the Financial Services & Trading Subcategory.

At Kalshi, we believe in the power of prediction markets, and we are sensitive to the fact that they, like any financial trading products, come with risks. As prediction markets continue to evolve, we are deeply committed to setting a new standard for responsible trading by investing in the tools, education, and protections needed to promote healthy participation and customer safety and hope that over time all trading platforms with significant retail participation follow suit,” said Tarek Mansour, co-founder and CEO of Kalshi.

“NCPG’s goal has always been to mitigate harm by increasing education, awareness, and understanding of risky behaviors, while ensuring access to trusted, scientific, and evidence-based information and healthcare resources,” added NCPG Executive Director Heather Maurer. “Innovation and responsibility can and must evolve together. Kalshi’s engagement demonstrates a commitment to mitigating harm before it occurs and ensuring support resources are accessible when they are needed.”

Sports Trading Left Out 

Prediction markets are federally regulated trading exchanges that have historically dealt in agricultural commodities, foreign currencies, government securities, and other binary and yes/no event outcomes. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has been criticized by many federal and state lawmakers, gaming regulators, and attorneys general for allowing prediction markets to offer trading on sports.

The CFTC reasons that such markets allow traders to use their insight and foresight on sports matchups to their financial advantage. Critics say sports trading is nothing more than sports betting.

The NCPG is receiving a two-year, $2 million investment from Kalshi to support a “strategic initiative” focused on “trader health and safety.” The NCPG press release on the news stayed away from addressing the sports prediction markets controversy.

The nonprofit instead seemingly grouped the sports markets into “other products.” The term “sports” was not mentioned in the more than 600-word release on the Kalshi sponsorship.

In the last decade, financial markets have dramatically expanded in scope and diversity of participation, with retail traders becoming a growing participant in old and novel markets, including equities market trading, stock, index, and commodity options, cryptocurrencies, levered commodity futures, prediction markets, and other products,” the NCPG release said.

Kalshi’s support will fund the Financial Trader Health and Safety Initiative, which “will expand education and awareness of responsible trading across these markets through the development of practical, evidence-informed, and data-driven resources designed to keep pace with rapidly evolving platforms.”

The Kalshi partnership comes less than three months after the NCPG said prediction markets pose “similar levels of risk to the consumer as traditional sports betting.” The NCPG called on prediction markets to include the 1-800-MY-REST National Problem Gambling Helpline on its platform.

Kalshi has not yet obliged.

NCPG Dues

In addition to its $2 million contribution, Kalshi, as an NCPG Platinum Corporation Member, will pay annual dues of $8,000 to $15,000.

Current members include Bally’s, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts, and Penn Entertainment.