Polymarket to Stop Sports Contracts in Michigan After Gaming Board Deal

Prediction Markets Industry News Archives |
Written By Jon Young | Published at October 30, 2026
Polymarket prediction exchange mobile app screen. Polymarket drops sports event contracts in Michigan.
A Polymarket prediction exchange mobile app screen. Polymarket drops sports event contracts in Michigan. Image: SHUTTERSTOCK

Polymarket has held out, but it is now joining other prediction markets by withdrawing its sports event contracts for Michigan customers.

Under an agreement with the Michigan Gambling Control Board (MGCB), Polymarket will stop facilitating new sports event trades. All existing contracts must be resolved and closed out by Nov. 25.

It’s the latest strong move by Michigan, which has been fighting one of the toughest battles against prediction markets of all the regulated states. The MGCB argues that by offering sports contracts, prediction markets are effectively providing unlicensed sports betting.

Michigan Attorney General Chalks Another Win

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has been one of the most vocal opponents of prediction markets offering sports event contracts.

In March, she took the prediction markets head on by suing Kalshi, saying they were acting in violation of state betting laws. Michigan has had regulated online sports betting since 2019.

In a statement released this week, Nessel said that the government was “holding the national sports betting industry accountable to Michigan law.”

The key flashpoint here is that prediction markets say they aren’t sportsbooks at all. Rather, they are licensed and regulated on a federal basis by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The difference in viewpoints is likely to end up in the U.S. Supreme Court, possibly as early as next summer.

How Prediction Markets Shut Up Shop in MI

Polymarket Follows Coinbase, Robinhood in MI

Polymarket’s legal tussles with Michigan stretch back most of the year. It took the state to federal court in March, with CLO Neal Kumar adding that “Polymarket continues to welcome discussion with regulators.” The company, he said, “appreciates [the] thoughtful engagement with other states.”

However, the Michigan Gaming Control Board gleefully reported that Polymarket had “backed down” amidst the state’s “relentless crackdown on unlicensed sports betting.”

Polymarket is the latest big prediction exchange to stop some of its markets in Michigan.

Last month, crypto exchange Coinbase halted sports contracts after negotiations with the MGCB.

The move came just weeks before Robinhood also removed sports event trading from its platform.

Pending Sixth Circuit Ruling Plays

Polymarket US had sued Michigan officials in March, but the court denied its request for a temporary restraining order. Polymarket appealed, and the ruling is still pending in the Sixth Circuit court.

The prediction market could pin its hopes of a more positive outcome on other states where exchanges have won out.

Multiple court challenges have gone the way of states seeking to protect regulated betting industries. Nevada was a recent victor against Kalshi in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. It upheld the state’s right to regulated sports-related contracts.

However, there have been small wins for the prediction markets this year. In April, the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against the state of New Jersey in its fight against Kalshi.

Polymarket knows it can continue offering sports event contracts in other states where court action hasn’t reached it. And before an ultimate Supreme Court ruling is made – if it is made – predictions will continue operating in states that don’t oppose them.

With the NFL in full swing, the loss of fees for Polymarket will be big in Michigan. However, winning the long game could be worth much more.

Related News