The NBA asked the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to tighten rules around prediction markets, with a focus on players, game officials and team staff. The league said it wants to keep those contracts from undermining game integrity and fan confidence.
In a letter from executive vice president and assistant general counsel Dan Spillane, the NBA said the risks look a lot like sports betting risks. It pointed to markets tied to officiating, injuries and fan actions as especially vulnerable to manipulation.
What the NBA wants
The league also called for a strict ban on contract trading by anyone younger than 21. Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket already let users 18 and older trade yes-or-no contracts on events, including sports.
- The NBA said prediction markets need “robust and comprehensive regulations” and asked for more cooperation on suspicious trading, data sharing and league investigations.
- The letter came as the CFTC weighs whether to amend its prediction-market rules.
- The agency said it received nearly 1,500 comments during the public comment period, which began on March 13 and ended Thursday.
The NBA’s filing also put it at odds with other leagues that have signed partnership deals with prediction markets, including MLB, NHL and UFC. The CFTC’s next move now sits at the center of how far these contracts can go in sports.
