---
title: "National Football League Submits Brief in Support of State Regulations on Sports Betting"
url: https://newscentral.site/national-football-league-submits-brief-in-support-of-state/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Business"
published: 2026-10-08T20:12:56.000Z
updated: 2026-10-09T08:37:43.680Z
id: 2877cd3f-3d0a-4153-ac6c-6bce5312c1ae
source: "Fortune https://fortune.com/2026/10/08/nfl-supreme-court-state-gambling-rules-leagues-prediction-markets/"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/national-football-league-submits-brief-in-support-of-state/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# National Football League Submits Brief in Support of State Regulations on Sports Betting

The National Football League has made a surprising move in the ongoing debate over prediction markets, submitting a 24-page brief to the Supreme Court in support of state regulations on sports betting.

In its filing, the NFL argued that states have long been responsible for overseeing gambling activities and that prediction contracts should be subject to similar rules as traditional bets. This stance is significant, as other major sports leagues have taken opposing views on the matter. The NFL's brief cites the growing popularity of prediction markets, particularly in relation to football games.

The league pointed out that nearly $2 billion was traded through prediction market platforms alone on the opening Sunday of the 2026 season, exceeding half of the day's total volume. This substantial figure underscores the need for clear regulations governing these types of contracts. The NFL urged the Supreme Court to act swiftly in this matter.

Meanwhile, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has taken a relatively hands-off approach to regulating prediction markets under the current administration, allowing federally registered exchanges like Kalshi to offer sports contracts without adhering to traditional state gambling rules.

The NFL has taken a firm stance on state gambling regulations, as seen in a recent court filing. According to the document, sports contracts make up 80% of Kalshi's trading volume, which is an astonishing figure considering the platform's massive growth. By August 2026, Kalshi had recorded over $173 billion in trades, a staggering increase from the $25 billion traded across all registered exchanges in 2025.

This development highlights the NFL's unique position on prediction markets compared to other sports associations. While Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and the National Hockey League have partnered with platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, embracing these new forms of engagement, the NFL has expressed concerns about preserving the integrity of the game.

Polymarket has acknowledged its commitment to upholding the integrity of competitive events through a statement. The platform is actively working alongside regulatory bodies such as the CFTC and SEC, as well as other professional leagues, towards establishing a unified federal framework for prediction markets. This effort aims to harmonize regulations across different jurisdictions.

Kalshi has yet to respond to requests for comment on its stance regarding state gambling laws and the NFL's position on these matters. The ongoing legal battle over prediction markets reached a critical juncture in late August when Nevada regulators were allowed to enforce their state gaming laws against Kalshi's sports contracts, leading to a split between federal appeals courts.

A legal dispute over prediction markets has led to a rift between the NFL and other sports leagues. This came about when Nevada regulators were allowed to enforce state gaming laws against Kalshi's sports contracts, resulting in a split bet.

The situation was further complicated by conflicting court decisions. In April, the Third Circuit ruled that Kalshi's sports prediction contracts should be classified as swaps rather than bets governed by state laws. However, other courts have taken a different stance, with the Ninth Circuit reaffirming its position in a separate case and the Sixth Circuit allowing Ohio and Tennessee to enforce their gambling laws against Kalshi.

The NFL has weighed in on the issue, filing an amicus brief that aligns it with the Sixth and Ninth Circuits. The league argues that conflicting court decisions create uncertainty over oversight and raise concerns about cheating, insider trading, and consumer protection.

---
Source: [Fortune](https://fortune.com/2026/10/08/nfl-supreme-court-state-gambling-rules-leagues-prediction-markets/)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/national-football-league-submits-brief-in-support-of-state/