NFL Requests CFTC Invoke More Stringent Regulations on Prediction Markets
David Genge Published 19/05/2026
In a letter obtained by CNBC, the NFL is requesting that the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) implement significant changes in how prediction markets operate. The NFL wants the prediction market sites like Kalshi and Polymarket to eliminate certain types of sports event contracts. They would also like to see the minimum age to be permitted to trade on the sites be increased.
Changes requested by the NFL are regarding negative outcome markets. The league would also like it if prediction market sites didn't offer sports event contracts on easily provable outcomes during games that could be more easily manipulated for a quick profit.
NFL Officials Contract CFTC Chair Michael Selig Directly
The letter obtained by CNBC was written by Brandon Plack. He is the NFL's senior vice president for government affairs and public policy. Plack sent the letter directly to CFTC Chairman Michael Selig.
The CFTC is currently in the midst of putting into place a rulemaking process regarding the prediction market sites operating in the U.S. market. Plack stressed that the NFL's recommendations were designed to preserve the ethics of the league.
“These suggestions are aimed at (i) protecting the integrity of the sporting events to which the prediction contracts relate, and (ii) protecting participants in these prediction markets from fraudulent or manipulative behavior,” Plack wrote.
The NFL is requesting that the CFTC be more restrictive in what prediction market sites can offer
At issue with the NFL is concerns about sports event contracts that the league feels could be easily manipulated by a single person. Items on this list include a kicker missing a field goal or a quarterback's first pass attempt being incomplete.
They are also seeking a similar ban on all event contracts that would be “knowable in advance.” This could be the outcome of the first play of a game, whether it would be a pass or a run.
What the NFL refers to as "inherently objectionable" outcomes are other event contract scenarios that the league would like to see banned. This could include players suffering an injury.
Another type of contract the NFL wants to see placed on the prohibited list is the so-called "mentions" by broadcasters. In these instances, sites are offering event contracts on whether a play-by-play or TV analyst will say specific words. This would take place during the broadcast of an NFL game.
The age of majority to play prediction markets is another issue that the NFL would like the CFTC to address. Currently, you only need to be 18 years old to play event contracts through prediction markets. The NFL would prefer to see the minimum rise to 21 years of age.
The NFL believes that all prediction market sites should be entering into agreements with sports governing bodies. Through cooperation, the two sides could establish and enforce a specific list of people who would be under prohibtion from playing any sports event contracts, such as team employees. This would limit the possibility of insider trading.
League views sports betting regulations as a model for governance
Throughout his letter to Selig, Plack cites the rules in place that state regulators utilize to govern sports betting. He views this as a model that prediction markets should follow.
However, Selig doesn't see it that way. In a recent interview with Axios, the CFTC head reiterated that prediction markets and sports betting are "two separate things."