The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has chosen to maintain its membership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) despite concerns raised by other states following a controversial $2 million donation from prediction market platform Kalshi.
Several states, including Michigan, Ohio, and Nevada, recently withdrew their memberships from the NCPG after the organization accepted funding from Kalshi. The donation supports a new initiative focused on “trader health and safety” and creates a “Financial Services and Trading” membership category within the NCPG.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) expressed worries that Kalshi’s involvement could conflict with state regulatory efforts. Kalshi has faced litigation in Michigan and other states for offering sports event contracts without proper gaming licenses. In Massachusetts, a judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Kalshi from offering sports-event wagers, though Kalshi paused operations pending appeal. The case is currently before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
At a recent MGC meeting, commissioners debated whether to follow other states in leaving the NCPG. After a briefing from Mark Vander Linden, MGC’s director of research and responsible gaming, the commission unanimously agreed to keep its membership for now. Vander Linden explained that the NCPG’s new initiative is a coordinated national effort to promote responsible trading and trader health within financial markets, emphasizing that it does not constitute an endorsement of Kalshi or prediction markets.
“NCPG remains neutral on the legality of gambling, wagering, and prediction markets,“ said NCPG executives Heather Maurer and Cole Wogoman during discussions with Vander Linden. They clarified that the initiative complements ongoing advocacy, including engagement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on prediction markets.
Commissioner Paul Brodeur highlighted that the main concern with prediction markets is not the product itself but how they are marketed and the lack of regulation. He stated, “It’s gambling. It could be, I suspect, welcomed into the marketplace if they were another sports betting operator and approached their business that way.” Brodeur urged the commission to monitor future developments closely and indicated the membership status might be reconsidered at renewal.
For players and bettors in Massachusetts, the MGC’s decision means continued engagement with the NCPG’s responsible gambling initiatives, which aim to address risks associated with emerging financial trading products that resemble gambling. However, Kalshi’s legal status in the state remains unsettled, and consumers should be aware of ongoing litigation and regulatory scrutiny.
Players should exercise caution with prediction markets, as these platforms can carry risks similar to traditional gambling, including impulsive behavior and financial harm. The MGC’s commitment to responsible gaming research and collaboration with the NCPG seeks to monitor and mitigate such risks.
Kalshi’s legal challenges are part of a broader national conversation about the regulation of prediction markets. For example, Illinois recently introduced legislation to remove taxes on certain prediction market contracts amid legal disputes involving Kalshi and the CFTC. This highlights the evolving regulatory environment players should watch closely.
For more information on responsible gambling efforts and regulatory updates in the US, visit our USA section and Responsible Gambling category. To learn about sports betting regulations and player protections, see our Sports Betting coverage.
Source: CDC Gaming
Additional context on prediction markets and their impact can be found in The Guardian’s recent analysis and Illinois legislative updates at CDC Gaming.
- Massachusetts Keeps NCPG Membership Despite Kalshi Concerns - September 12, 2026
- Revised CLARITY Act Raises Concerns for Tribal Gaming - September 12, 2026
- SBC Summit to Explore Web3 and Crypto Impact on Gambling - September 12, 2026