The NBA asked the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to tighten restrictions on prediction markets for players, officials, and team staff to protect game integrity and fan confidence, according to a letter filed with the agency.
Dan Spillane, the NBA’s executive vice president and assistant general counsel, told the CFTC that prediction markets raise integrity concerns similar to sports betting and require “robust and comprehensive regulations.” He added that the league is not taking a position on ongoing state-versus-federal fights over who regulates prediction markets, per the submission.
What the NBA wants
- Ban trading by anyone under 21, a stricter standard than many prediction platforms use today, the league wrote in its comment letter.
- Guard against markets that could be manipulated, including those tied to officiating, injuries, and fan actions.
- Increase cooperation between prediction markets and leagues on suspicious trading, data sharing, and league investigations.
The push lands as the CFTC considers amending its prediction market rules and closes a comment round that began March 13. The agency said it received nearly 1,500 comments, including the NBA’s filing, during the window, per ESPN’s report.
The NBA’s stance breaks from other leagues’ commercial moves. MLB, the NHL, and the UFC have signed partnership deals with prediction markets, while platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket currently let users 18 and older trade yes/no outcomes, including sports, as noted in the same filing.
With the comment period now closed, the CFTC will decide whether to amend its rules after reviewing nearly 1,500 submissions, including the NBA’s request.
