TLDR
Kalshi is accused of illegal sports betting without state licenses.
Plaintiffs say Kalshi misled users on the legality of wagers.
Lawsuit seeks refunds and penalties under gambling laws.
Kalshi’s valuation rose to $11 billion amid increased trading volume.
Kalshi has been hit with a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing the company of running an unlicensed sports betting platform. The suit, filed by a group of users, claims Kalshi misrepresented its services as legal, while accepting sports-related wagers that violate state gambling laws.
The lawsuit states that Kalshi positioned itself as a legal derivatives exchange under federal regulation. However, the plaintiffs argue that the platform offered traditional sports betting services under the appearance of “event contracts,” which are only allowed when used for non-gambling purposes such as hedging or forecasting.
Allegations of Market Manipulation and Deceptive Practices
The complaint also accuses Kalshi of creating a system where users bet against professional market makers. It alleges this setup gives the market makers an unfair advantage, similar to a “House” in gambling, placing everyday users at a disadvantage.
“When consumers place bets on the platform, they face off against money provided by a sophisticated market maker,” the plaintiffs claimed in the court filing. They also allege Kalshi ignored state warnings and continued to accept bets from states where sports gambling is not allowed.
Kalshi is said to have promoted its services as being “legal in all 50 states” while regulators from states including New York, Ohio, New Jersey, and Illinois reportedly issued warnings against the platform.
Kalshi Denies All Accusations
Kalshi has responded by rejecting all allegations. The company maintains it operates legally as a federally regulated exchange under the oversight of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Co-founder Luana Lopes Lara said in a statement, “This account and others are being paid by our competitor to amplify a baseless lawsuit.” She added that the claims reveal a lack of understanding of how event markets function.
Lara clarified that Kalshi operates as a peer-to-peer exchange where users provide liquidity, not a traditional sportsbook. She also emphasized that event contracts offered on the platform differ from gambling because they are structured for trading, not games of chance.
Context of Growth and Industry Competition
The lawsuit comes at a time of rapid growth for Kalshi. The company recently raised $1 billion in funding, bringing its valuation to $11 billion. This follows a previous $300 million raise just months earlier. Kalshi reported over $50 billion in annualized trading volume this year, up from $300 million the previous year.
Kalshi recently partnered with Coinbase to manage USDC custody and settlements. The move is part of its broader strategy to enhance trading efficiency and financial transparency.
Competitor Polymarket faced similar regulatory challenges in the past. It was blocked from serving U.S. customers until it acquired a derivatives exchange and clearinghouse. Polymarket is also pursuing a $15 billion valuation.
Legal Outcome Could Affect Broader Prediction Market Industry
The plaintiffs are seeking refunds of user wagers and financial penalties for alleged breaches of gambling and consumer protection laws. The case may raise questions about the legal boundaries between regulated trading platforms and unlicensed gambling services in the U.S.
Kalshi’s legal position may depend on how courts interpret the difference between event-based derivatives and illegal wagers. The outcome could influence how prediction markets are allowed to operate moving forward.
