Michigan Gaming Control Board Withdraws Membership From The NCPG
Mike Goodpaster Published 10/07/2026
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MCGB) is withdrawing its membership from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The MGCB is concerned that the NCPG recently admitted prediction market site Kalshi as a member. Michigan has accused Kalshi of offering unlicensed sports gambling. The MGCB believes that the NCPG’s affiliation with Kalshi could undermine state enforcement actions and create confusion about licensing and oversight.
Michigan recently won a temporary injunction against Kalshi. The ruling forbids the site from offering its sports event contracts in the state for 14 days. A judge agreed with the MGCB's assessment that sports-event contracts are sports betting
The MGCB expressed its concerns about Kalshi to the NCPG
In a letter dated July 1, MGCB executive director Henry Williams pulled no punches. He was expressing his organization's concerns about the NCPG bringing Kalshi into the fold.
"I am writing to express my strong disapproval of Kalshi’s recently announced membership and investment partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)," Williams wrote. "As you know, Michigan obtained a temporary restraining order against Kalshi on June 29, 2026. Kalshi was (and may still be) actively involved in offering unlicensed sports gambling in Michigan."
Williams went on to point out that Kalshi is involved in countless lawsuits against numerous states. He also accused the prediction market site of flaunting established gambling laws by offering unlicensed sports gambling in those states.
"These efforts are part of Kalshi’s broader strategy to remake the gambling industry – by bulldozing countless regulations and the consumer-protection safeguards which Michigan and other states have enacted to protect their residents and uphold the integrity of sports betting," Williams wrote.
Williams is holding NCPG accountable over the Kalshi question
He also accused the NCPG of formenting confusion by recognizing Kalshi as an established betting site.
"By partnering with a company that numerous states, including Michigan, are actively litigating against for disregarding state gaming laws, the NCPG directly undermines state enforcement actions and risks weakening the positions of state regulatory bodies nationwide,' Williams wrote.
"Additionally, the NCPG’s partnership with Kalshi also creates substantial confusion by suggesting to the public that Kalshi is subject to the same consumer protections, licensing requirements, and regulatory oversight as licensed sports betting operators. It is not."
Williams believes that by recognizing and accepting Kalshi as a full-fledged member, the NCPG is also undermining its own mission to help those afflicted by problem gambling. By identifying its product as financial trading, Kalshi suggests that the purpose of its sports-event products is to make money. The NCPG mandates that partaking in gambling should be done purely as a form of entertainment.
"The notion that people should be looking at internet sports betting as a viable means of financial gain or protection against financial loss undermines this position and increases the risk of irresponsible and problem gambling behavior."
Williams is also of the opinion that including Kalshi is patently wrong. The NCPG is working with an organization that promotes and encourages participation in illegal gambling. That's what the courts are calling it.
For these reasons, the Michigan regulatory body is exiting the NCPG
Adding up all these reasons, Williams reckoned that the MGCB has no choice but to bow out of the NCPG.
"After considering this matter, I have concluded that continuing our membership in the NCPG is inconsistent with the MGCB’s mission, statutory responsibilities, and its commitment to responsible gaming and to protecting the public from the risks of problem gambling in Michigan," Williams wrote. "Accordingly, the MGCB is formally withdrawing its membership from the NCPG."