NFL Files Supreme Court Brief Supporting New Jersey on Prediction Market Regulation

The National Football League (NFL) has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, backing New Jersey officials’ petition to review a case concerning the regulation of prediction markets, such as Kalshi. The league contends that these platforms threaten game integrity and customer protection due to potential manipulation and a lack of federal safeguards.

In the brief filed Wednesday, the NFL aligned with New Jersey’s stance in its legal challenge against Kalshi. The NFL’s primary argument is that prediction markets are susceptible to manipulation, which could compromise the integrity of sporting events. The league highlighted that on the first Sunday of the football season, over half of all prediction market trading volume—$1.8 billion out of $3.3 billion—was related to the NFL.

According to the league, event contracts on platforms like Kalshi are “highly susceptible to manipulation or are otherwise inherently objectionable.” The NFL also voiced concerns about the absence of “sensible safeguards” from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for these contracts. The league considers the federalization of sports betting regulation, rather than state-level authority, a “major question” for the Supreme Court.

The NFL’s filing supports New Jersey officials’ petition to the court, which questions whether prediction market platforms fall under state or federal authority. The league’s brief argues that the case should be reviewed to “preserve game integrity” and “protect customers.”

Thirty-nine U.S. states and the District of Columbia have also filed an amicus brief supporting New Jersey. These states noted that the conflict between the CFTC and state authorities over prediction markets has created a “national turf war” that requires Supreme Court resolution, warning that delays could escalate the regulatory dispute.

Kalshi has been granted an extension until November 9 to respond to the New Jersey filing. As of Thursday, the Supreme Court had not announced whether it would grant the petition for review. The case could potentially clarify the jurisdictional boundaries between state authorities and federal agencies in regulating prediction market companies.

Why This Matters

The materials describe a narrow update: The NFL submitted a brief to the Supreme Court supporting New Jersey’s request to review a case against Kalshi. Whether the Supreme Court will grant the petition for a writ of certiorari.

Broader Context

Source materials place the factual news in this context: The filing came in response to New Jersey officials petitioning the court to consider its case against Kalshi.