Compliance · Legal status
Are Prediction Markets Legal? 2026 Status Tracker
As of June 2026, the legality of prediction markets depends on the platform, not just your location. Kalshi operates as a CFTC-regulated event-contract exchange available to verified users in all 50 US states. Polymarket, by contrast, blocks US users and operates offshore. Outside the US, access varies by platform and jurisdiction. Prediction markets trade event contracts — instruments tied to real-world outcomes — which regulators treat differently from casino gambling.
Regulated venues run prediction markets as exchange-listed “event contracts,” not games of chance. That distinction matters for both legality and tax treatment, and it is why a CFTC-registered exchange can offer them nationwide while an offshore book cannot serve US users.
Platform-by-platform
Kalshi
AvailableCFTC-regulated designated contract market. Available to verified users in all 50 US states; you must be 18+.
Polymarket
BlockedBlocks US users (a 2022 CFTC settlement bars US access). Available in many other regions via crypto wallet; check local law.
PredictIt
RestrictedOperates under a CFTC no-action posture with position and market-size caps; US academic-research framing.
Restricted countries
| Country | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US | Partial / conditional | Polymarket restricted to non-US persons; Kalshi US-legal |
Frequently asked questions
- Are prediction markets legal in the US?
- Some are. Kalshi is a CFTC-regulated event-contract exchange available in all 50 states to verified users 18+. Polymarket blocks US users. The legal status turns on whether the platform is registered with the CFTC as a designated contract market.
- Is Kalshi legal in all 50 states?
- Yes. Kalshi operates as a CFTC-regulated designated contract market and is available to verified US users nationwide. Some specific contract types have faced state-level challenges, but the exchange itself is federally regulated.
- Why can't US residents use Polymarket?
- Polymarket settled with the CFTC in 2022 and blocks US users as a condition. It operates offshore on crypto rails, so US access would require circumventing geo-restrictions — which violates its terms. Use a regulated alternative like Kalshi instead.
Methodology & disclaimer
This tracker reflects WeeBet's compliance monitoring as of June 2026. It is informational, not legal advice — the legal landscape shifts fast, and an operator may serve or block a region independent of the underlying law. Confirm current status with the operator and your local regulator before depositing or trading. See our responsible gambling resources.