Today in prediction market news, we’re tracking the biggest developments across the industry in real time, including reports of Kalshi’s early IPO discussions, disputes over alleged fake stories and misinformation, new legislation that could reshape the sector, and other major stories impacting prediction markets, sports event trading, and regulated forecasting platforms. Follow our live blog throughout the day for breaking updates, market reactions, and analysis from across the prediction markets, crypto, and iGaming sectors.

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Kalshi is pushing back against a report that said the prediction-market platform was investigating U.S. Sen. Jim Banks and Indiana State Rep. Andrew Ireland over alleged insider trading connected to Indiana’s Secretary of State race.

Robert Denault, the company’s head of enforcement and legal counsel, said that claim is wrong and stated that Kalshi has not found evidence of suspicious activity in the market cited by the report.

“This is false. Kalshi is not investigating Sen. Banks or State Rep. Ireland. We have no evidence of suspicious trading activity in this market,” Denault wrote in a public statement.

The dispute began after a social media post from the Hoosier Enquirer said Kalshi had confirmed an investigation involving Banks and Ireland. Denault said the publication had submitted a whistleblower tip containing the allegations and received a standard acknowledgment that the information would be reviewed.

According to Denault, that routine response was later presented as proof that a formal investigation existed.

“The Hoosier Enquirer submitted a whistleblower tip to Kalshi making the claims below. We confirmed receipt and promised to look into it, as we do with all tips. They then manufactured a fake story claiming we confirmed an investigation,” Denault wrote.

He added: “This reporting is deliberately dishonest and misleading. We have sent them a cease and desist.”

After Denault’s statement, the Hoosier Enquirer posted what it said was Kalshi’s response to the whistleblower submission. In the screenshot, a message from a Kalshi compliance account states that the company had received the report and “will investigate accordingly.” The message also says Kalshi could not share updates or details on ongoing investigations and directed the publication to the company’s public disciplinary notices.

The Hoosier Enquirer cited the email as evidence that Kalshi initially indicated it would investigate the allegations, while critics of the publication argued the response appeared to be a standard acknowledgment sent when tips are received. Former Kalshi spokesperson Jacki McGavick responded publicly, writing, “That’s our standard reply to every tip. This is idiotic.”

Kalshi says safeguards and enforcement are already in place after denying Indiana probe

The disagreement comes as Kalshi has been publicly pointing to its enforcement program and insider-trading controls.

Earlier this year, the company announced new safeguards intended to automatically block political candidates from trading on markets tied to their own campaigns. Kalshi also said athletes, officials, referees, and other sports participants would be prevented from trading on markets connected to competitions in which they are involved.

The company said the changes were developed in response to growing regulatory attention and concerns about conflicts of interest in prediction markets. Kalshi has also added whistleblower reporting tools and increased monitoring of trading activity.

In February, both Kalshi and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission highlighted insider-trading enforcement actions involving a political candidate and a media insider. Kalshi said it had opened roughly 200 investigations during the previous year, with more than a dozen resulting in formal enforcement actions.

The company later identified three political candidates who were penalized for trading on markets connected to their own elections: Minnesota state senator Matt Klein, Virginia Senate candidate Mark Moran, and Texas congressional candidate Ezekiel Enriquez. Each received a five-year suspension, while financial penalties varied by case.

Those actions were tied to Kalshi Rule 5.17(z), which bars traders from participating in markets where they can influence outcomes.

Despite those enforcement efforts, Denault said the allegations involving Banks and Ireland have not resulted in a formal investigation. His statement did not address the underlying claims contained in the tip beyond saying that Kalshi has no evidence of suspicious trading and has not opened a case involving either official.

Featured image: Kalshi / Canva

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A new House proposal would block members of Congress and their immediate families from taking part in certain prediction market trades linked to government decisions, political developments, and information obtained through public service.

House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil introduced the Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act on June 18. The measure seeks to update federal ethics rules by preventing lawmakers, spouses, and dependent children from earning money through prediction market positions connected to events they may learn about through congressional work.

Steil said the goal is to eliminate concerns that elected officials could benefit from privileged information.

“The American people deserve to know their Member of Congress is not profiting off insider information. The Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act ensures that cannot happen,” said Chairman Steil. “This legislation is critical to restoring the public’s trust in their elected officials. Lawmakers should be writing policy, not wagering on its outcome.”

Prediction market trades proposal targets concerns over insider information and political wagering

According to the bill, a “covered individual” would include any member of Congress, a lawmaker’s spouse, or a dependent child. The legislation would prohibit those individuals from entering into or offering to enter into any agreement, contract, or transaction that depends on the occurrence, nonoccurrence, or extent of the occurrence of a specific government policy, a government action, a political outcome, or any other event that comes to the attention of the covered individual as a result of congressional service. 

It would apply regardless of whether the event is directly connected to the official congressional duties of the member involved.

The House Administration Committee pointed to growing scrutiny surrounding prediction markets and the possibility that participants with access to nonpublic information could gain an advantage. Committee officials also referenced reports involving candidates who allegedly wagered on their own elections and noted that current federal law does not specifically ban lawmakers from these markets.

The proposal arrives as the prediction market industry faces broader questions about insider activity. Recent reports have showcased efforts by platforms including Kalshi and Polymarket to strengthen policies aimed at preventing insider trading and misuse of confidential information. It has fueled debate over whether additional safeguards are needed as prediction markets become more and more widespread.

Congress has also seen related legislative efforts. Earlier proposals, including the BETS Off Act, sought to limit prediction market participation by government officials and address concerns about conflicts of interest involving public servants.

If Steil’s bill becomes law, congressional ethics offices would oversee compliance and provide guidance on terms not clearly defined in the statute.

Violations would trigger financial consequences. Anyone found in breach of the restrictions would owe either $2,000 or 10% of the value of the prohibited transaction, whichever is greater. Any profits earned from the activity while covered by the law would also have to be surrendered.

The measure further states that official office accounts and campaign funds could not be used to pay those penalties. Money collected through enforcement would be directed to the U.S. Treasury’s general fund.

Former lawmakers would not escape enforcement. Ethics officials could refer unpaid penalties to the Department of Justice if a member leaves office before satisfying the requirement.

The bill would take effect 180 days after enactment and must pass both chambers of Congress before reaching the president’s desk.

Featured image: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

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Former Iona University basketball player Adam Njie Jr. has been permanently ruled ineligible for NCAA competition after an investigation found he shared information with bettors before two games during the 2024-25 season and falsely indicated he would take part in point-shaving schemes.

The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions approved a negotiated resolution that classified the conduct as a Level I violation, the most serious category under NCAA rules. The case centered on games against Rice and Sacred Heart in December 2024.

Investigators traced the matter to a wider sports wagering probe. NCAA enforcement staff interviewed a source in 2025 while examining betting activity connected to college basketball. The review found that a bettor placed three wagers totaling $15,500 on Rice to cover the first-half spread against Iona on Dec. 1, 2024.

Adam Njie communications with bettors before Rice and Sacred Heart NCAA matchup

According to the resolution, Njie knew a bettor through a friend. They were described as someone known for paying student-athletes to influence games.

Before the Rice matchup, Njie admitted telling the bettor he would throw the first half. He later told investigators he never actually carried out that plan. After the game, the bettor allegedly threatened him over gambling losses tied to his performance.

The resolution says Njie then told the bettor he would throw the first half of Iona’s Dec. 6 game against Sacred Heart to recover those losses. He again maintained that he never intentionally tried to lose the first half.

Digital evidence reviewed by investigators showed that Njie communicated with the bettor before both games. Records also supported claims that threats were made before the Sacred Heart contest.

Rather than determining whether game outcomes were manipulated, the NCAA focused on the information Njie provided. The resolution states that on December 1 and December 6, 2024, Njie violated NCAA standards by “knowingly provid[ing] information, to individuals involved in sports betting activities before two men’s basketball games to financially benefit others.”

The decision arrives as college basketball continues to face scrutiny over gambling-related misconduct. Federal authorities announced charges against 26 people in January 2026 in an alleged point-shaving and game-fixing scheme that affected NCAA Division I men’s basketball and games in China. Several current and former players were named in that case.

The NCAA has also permanently barred six former student-athletes from New Orleans, Mississippi Valley State and Arizona State after separate investigations found betting-related manipulation or the sharing of insider information. In another ongoing matter, Nevada regulators have linked unusual wagering activity involving Fresno State basketball to a criminal investigation that has already resulted in one arrest.

Throughout the NCAA process, Njie denied manipulating games but cooperated with multiple interviews. The Committee on Infractions approved the negotiated resolution on June 18, 2026, and noted that the outcome carries no precedential value under NCAA rules.

Featured image: NCAA / Dayton Flyers via YouTube

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Today in prediction market news, we’re tracking the biggest developments across the industry in real time, from fresh lawsuits and insider trading allegations to regulatory battles, market-moving legislation, and other major stories shaping prediction markets, sports event trading, and regulated forecasting platforms. Follow our live blog throughout the day for breaking updates, market reactions, and analysis from across the prediction markets, crypto, and iGaming sectors.

The post More lawsuits, more insider trading claims, today in prediction market news LIVE appeared first on ReadWrite.

California authorities have filed felony grand theft and forgery charges against former United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Secretary Adam Walker, accusing him of taking nearly $83,000 from a firefighters’ nonprofit foundation and spending the money on personal costs, including online gambling.

Walker also served as chairman of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Foundation. Investigators say he moved foundation money into accounts under his control, triggering a joint investigation involving the California Department of Justice and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

According to authorities, investigators found evidence that $82,914.24 was diverted from the foundation between December 2022 and January 2024. The investigation alleges Walker opened a foundation bank account naming himself as the only authorized signer and then transferred nonprofit funds into personal accounts through multiple internal bank transactions.

Investigators further claim he attempted to conceal the missing money during audits. Authorities say he produced records that falsely described the transfers as reimbursements for credit card expenses and used online tools to create forged receipts. The funds were allegedly spent on personal expenses, including online gambling.

Investigation examines nonprofit finances of ex-LA firefighters foundation leader, accused of theft and gambling claims

The case was developed by the California Department of Justice’s Special Investigations Team with support from investigators in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The unit handles public corruption, fraud, money laundering and other complex criminal investigations.

“The California Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute corruption at every turn and hold accountable those who break the law and the trust placed in them by the public,” Bonta said. “I am thankful for the hard work of our DOJ team and our partners at LADA over the course of this investigation.”

State officials said prosecutors from both agencies are jointly handling the case. The criminal complaint contains allegations only, and Walker remains presumed innocent unless the charges are proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The accusations arrive amid several other recent cases in which authorities alleged gambling played a role in broader fraud schemes.

In one federal case, Burbank laboratory owner Armen Muradyan was sentenced to 51 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion. Prosecutors said he concealed his control of a blood-testing laboratory, obtained millions in Medicare reimbursements and spent proceeds on personal expenses that included gambling. The court ordered more than $15 million in restitution.

Federal prosecutors have also charged Sacramento resident Keinyatey Deboros Chambers with 10 counts of wire fraud. Investigators allege he raised more than $500,000 through a fake cannabis investment operation, targeting people he met at casinos, bars and restaurants. Authorities contend the money was used for personal spending and casino gambling rather than legitimate investments.

Another case resulted in a 30-month prison sentence for Lanette Bashore, who admitted to mail fraud after running a long-term scheme that persuaded victims to provide money based on promises of access to a supposed fortune. Prosecutors said stolen funds supported her lifestyle and gambling activities.

Court proceedings in Walker’s case are expected to continue in Los Angeles County.

Featured image: Canva

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Pennsylvania gambling regulators have stripped gambling privileges from 18 people, including four adults accused of leaving children unattended at casino properties while they gambled.

The action was approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on Wednesday (June 17) and places those individuals on one of the state’s Involuntary Exclusion Lists. Anyone added to those lists is barred from gambling at Pennsylvania casinos, state-regulated online betting platforms, and Video Gaming Terminal locations.

Among the cases cited by the board, one woman left two children, ages 8 and 13, in a vehicle at Valley Forge Casino Resort for 52 minutes while participating in multiple forms of gambling. Another woman left three children, ages 8, 9 and 13, alone in a hotel room at Mount Airy Casino Resort for 1 hour and 48 minutes while she played table games.

A third case involved a woman who left a 10-year-old child in a vehicle at Live! Casino Philadelphia for more than three hours while gambling on slot machines. In the fourth incident, a man left a 12-year-old in a vehicle at Hollywood Casino York for 30 minutes while he played slot machines.

Parents accused of child neglect after children left unattended at Pennsylvania casinos

Board officials said the penalties are intended to reinforce rules that prohibit adults from leaving minors unattended in parking lots, garages, hotels, or other areas of casino properties. Regulators warned that such situations can expose children to unnecessary risks and unsafe conditions.

The board also highlighted its “Don’t Gamble with Kids” campaign, which was created to support casino efforts to reduce incidents involving unattended minors.

Beyond the four child-related cases, regulators placed 14 additional people on the Involuntary Casino Exclusion List for separate violations. The matters were brought before the board by its Offices of Chief Counsel and Enforcement Counsel.

The latest decision follows a series of recent enforcement actions. In February, the board announced that 22 people had been added to exclusion lists, including five adults accused of leaving children unattended while gambling and five individuals accused of fraud involving online gaming or sports wagering accounts.

The board has also taken action against casino operators. Earlier this year, regulators approved $112,500 in fines against three gaming companies. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh received a $70,000 penalty after self-excluded patrons were able to access gaming areas and place bets. Live! Casino Pittsburgh was fined $10,000 after an underage person gained access to the gaming floor.

In a separate enforcement case in 2025, Valley Forge Casino Resort was fined $30,000 after a 13-year-old reportedly spent more than six hours gambling on slot machines.

With the newest additions, the total number of people across Pennsylvania’s various Involuntary Exclusion Lists now stands at 1,481. The board’s next public meeting is scheduled for July 22, 2026, in Harrisburg.

Featured image: Canva

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Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has opened a new front in the fight over online wagering, filing lawsuits against prediction market operators Kalshi and Polymarket as well as sweepstakes casino company VGW. 

The cases, submitted June 17 in Franklin Circuit Court, accuse the businesses of offering gambling products inside Kentucky without following the state’s licensing and regulatory requirements.

The legal actions represent one of the strongest state-level challenges yet against two fast-growing corners of the online gaming world. They also deepen a national argument over who has authority to regulate sports-related event contracts: federal commodities regulators or individual states.

All three companies have indicated they plan to contest the allegations.

VGW told ReadWrite it “respectfully reject[s] the Kentucky Attorney General’s claims” and plans to “vigorously defend this lawsuit.” The company said it has lawfully operated in the United States for more than a decade, providing what it describes as online “Social Plus” games to millions of Americans. 

The company added that its offerings are delivered with “robust consumer protections” and stressed that VGW values that include putting players first and ensuring its products are offered safely and responsibly.

Kalshi responded by portraying the lawsuit as a challenge to federally supervised financial markets rather than a consumer-protection measure. Company spokesperson Jacki McGavick said restrictions on federally regulated exchanges would ultimately hurt Kentucky residents.

“The people who get hurt by this tax are Kentuckians,” McGavick said. “Taxing federally regulated markets doesn’t make anyone safer, it just pushes people toward illegal platforms with no oversight and no protections.”

McGavick also reiterated Kalshi’s core legal position, arguing that federal regulators—not states—have jurisdiction over the company’s event contracts.

“Kalshi is a federally regulated exchange — the CFTC is our regulator, not the states,” she said. “Courts have already recognized this, and we’re confident they will here too.”

Polymarket also signaled that it intends to challenge the state’s claims. A spokesperson told ReadWrite that Kentucky’s lawsuit “runs counter to the CFTC’s established framework for regulating prediction markets” and said the company looks forward to addressing the claims through the courts.

Kentucky argues Kalshi and Polymarket resemble sportsbooks

Coleman’s office sees the issue very differently.

State attorneys argue that Kalshi and Polymarket are effectively running sportsbooks without obtaining the licenses required under Kentucky law. Although the companies describe their products as event contracts, the lawsuits contend that customers are still wagering on sports outcomes in a manner that closely mirrors traditional betting.

According to the complaints, Kentucky residents can access the products through websites and mobile apps and stake money on sporting results. State lawyers argue the contracts “fall squarely within the definition of ‘sports wagering’ under Kentucky law … and any reasonable definition of gambling.” Similar language appears in both cases.

Coleman dismissed the distinction between prediction contracts and sports betting, characterizing the argument as a legal workaround.

“As one of our state legislative leaders said it best,” Coleman said, “‘If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck…'”

That comparison appears throughout Kentucky’s reasoning. The lawsuits reference remarks from State Representative Michael Meredith, who stated the same sentiment.

Kentucky says the platforms offer many of the same options commonly found at licensed sportsbooks, including wagers tied to game winners, point spreads, player statistics, totals, parlays, and proposition bets.

The state further argues that these businesses operate outside the regulatory structure created after Kentucky legalized sports betting in 2023. Oversight was assigned to the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, which licenses operators and enforces standards covering audits, responsible gaming, and consumer protections. Under state law, only approved operators may provide sports wagering services.

In a public statement, the Attorney General’s office alleged that sports-related contracts now account for a large share of Kalshi’s activity. The office claimed sports betting represented roughly 70% of the platform’s trading volume during a selected period in 2025 and nearly 89% of approximately $23 billion in contract volume last year.

Kentucky also alleges that partnerships involving Coinbase, Robinhood, and Webull broadened access to what it considers unlicensed sports gambling products. All three companies are named as defendants in the Kalshi case.

Lawmakers and regulators have been escalating pressure

These lawsuits did not appear out of nowhere.

For months, Kentucky officials have been laying the groundwork for a confrontation with sports-focused prediction markets. Earlier this year, lawmakers approved House Bill 904, a sweeping measure that raises the state’s sports betting age from 18 to 21, limits certain college proposition wagers, and creates a framework specifically addressing prediction market operators.

The legislation imposes a 14.25% excise tax on prediction market transaction fees and bars licensed Kentucky sportsbooks from partnering with Kalshi or Polymarket beginning July 15, 2026.

Many state policymakers have expressed concern that prediction markets increasingly function like sportsbooks while remaining outside Kentucky’s licensing system. Coleman has repeatedly voiced that view and recently joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general urging federal regulators not to treat sports event contracts as matters exclusively governed by federal commodities law.

It appears to have foreshadowed the lawsuits now moving through Kentucky courts.

The wider federal-state fight continues

The Kentucky cases arrive as similar disputes gain momentum across the country.

Only weeks before filing suit, Kentucky joined other attorneys general in comments submitted to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The coalition argued that sports event contracts and traditional sports bets are essentially the same product.

“Traditional sports bets and sports-related event contracts offered on designated contract markets have no meaningful differences,” the coalition wrote. The letter argued that “any distinction between sportsbook bets and prediction-market bets is illusory” because users can wager on the same outcomes, including game winners, point spreads, totals, and player props.

The coalition pointed directly to Kalshi’s offerings and noted advertisements promoting what the company described as “legal sports betting in all 50 states.”

Kalshi continues to maintain the opposite position. The company argues that its exchange operates under federal oversight through the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and therefore should not be subject to state sports-betting licensing systems.

Kentucky’s action also follows a separate proposed class-action lawsuit filed by residents seeking to recover alleged losses from Kalshi under state gambling recovery laws. Together, those cases may help determine whether prediction markets are viewed by courts as financial exchanges or as sports betting under a different structure.

The lawsuit against VGW focuses on another growing sector of online gaming. Kentucky alleges that Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, LuckyLand Casino, and Global Poker rely on a dual-currency system that mirrors conventional casino gambling.

According to the complaint, players buy virtual Gold Coins and receive Sweeps Coins that can later be redeemed for cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. The state argues that these coins function like casino chips because they have redeemable value and can be wagered on games of chance.

The filing states, “Sweeps Coins are therefore a direct equivalent of traditional casino chips; they have a cash value, can be gambled like cash, and can be cashed out by gamblers for the designated cash value or digital equivalent.”

Kentucky also claims the products are intentionally designed to resemble familiar casino experiences. The lawsuit alleges the platforms “offer games that not only function like traditional casino games but are designed to look and feel like them.”

Coleman framed the case as part of a wider effort to prevent gambling businesses from avoiding state law through new technology.

“This company may use new technology and a new scheme to hide, but the reality is the same,” he said. “Our Office has a duty to stop illegal gambling in Kentucky regardless of how it’s packaged.”

Featured image: VGW / Kalshi / Polymarket

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Pennsylvania’s highest court has handed down what could prove to be the most significant gambling decision in the Commonwealth since casino gaming was legalized. In a June 15, 2026, opinion, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that so-called skill-game machines are subject to both the Pennsylvania Gaming Act and the Crimes Code, overturning years of lower-court decisions that had allowed the devices to operate in a legal gray area.

How skill games gained a foothold across Pennsylvania

For more than a decade, skill games spread across Pennsylvania in convenience stores, bars, restaurants, clubs, gas stations and dedicated gaming parlors. The Supreme Court noted that the machines “have been held to fall into a legal gray area outside of the reach of both the Gaming Act and the Crimes Code,” a situation that allowed thousands of devices to flourish throughout the state without the oversight applied to casino gambling.

The industry has long argued its machines are games of skill rather than gambling devices.

Speaking on a special episode of Behind the Bets in PA, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Chief Counsel Steve Cook explained that the growth of skill games was closely tied to Pennsylvania’s long-established legal test for determining gambling.

“Pennsylvania has through the course of a series of court decisions what’s called the predominant factor test,” Cook said. “If skill predominates, it’s 51% or more skill over chance, then it would not be gambling under historical Pennsylvania case law.”

Cook said Pennsylvania’s approach differed from states where any element of chance can make a game illegal gambling.

According to him, “it’s that predominant factor test by which skill games entered the market” and eventually expanded across the Commonwealth.

The Supreme Court’s reasoning and the Follow Me dispute

The Supreme Court traced that legal history back to the 1983 case Commonwealth v. Two Electronic Poker Game Machines, which held that courts must examine whether skill or chance predominates when determining if gambling exists. For years, that analysis formed the foundation of arguments supporting the legality of skill-game machines.

The latest legal battle included Pace-O-Matic’s “Follow Me” feature, a memory challenge built into Pennsylvania Skill machines. The court explained that after a losing spin, players can attempt a Simon-style memory game requiring them to repeat increasingly complex sequences. Successfully completing the challenge allows a player to recover 105% of the original wager.

Supporters of the machines argued that because a skilled player could theoretically recover every loss through the feature, chance was not the dominant factor. Trial courts accepted that reasoning, finding that “a patient and skillful player could win at least 105% of the amount played on each and every play by utilizing the Follow Me feature.”

State lawyers took a far different view. According to the Supreme Court opinion, the Commonwealth argued that “Follow Me” was “an obvious fig leaf, included to cloak the game’s primary purpose as a gambling device,” adding that “‘Follow Me’ isn’t there for the players; it’s there for the lawyers.”

Ultimately, the Supreme Court agreed that the legal landscape changed when lawmakers amended the Gaming Act in 2017.

Act 42 of 2017 introduced statutory definitions for both “skill slot machines” and “hybrid slot machines.” Under those definitions, a skill slot machine is a device where skill predominates over chance, while a hybrid slot machine incorporates both elements.

The court concluded that those definitions effectively replaced the old predominant-factor inquiry for slot-machine regulation.

As Justice David Wecht wrote, “it is irrelevant whether the outcome of a game is determined by skill, chance, or any combination thereof.” The opinion further stated that the statutory definitions “plainly eliminate the predominant factor test for any device that otherwise constitutes a ‘slot machine.’”

Cook echoed that interpretation during the podcast discussion.

“The court also said… because the General Assembly did put skill games into the definition of slot machine under the Gaming Act… it took away at least with respect to slot machines this predominant factor test,” he said.

“Now effective yesterday any machine that has any element of chance, even if it’s predominantly skill, is a slot machine regulated by the Gaming Control Board.”

One of the court’s most notable observations focused on the practical inconsistency created by earlier rulings.

Cook summarized the issue this way: “If these games were in a casino, they would be regulated by us. And if they are outside the casino in a gas station down the street, they’re not regulated by us and nobody can do anything about them. That just doesn’t make sense.”

The Supreme Court reached a similar conclusion, criticizing a framework that allowed devices “identical to slot machines in appearance, operation, and function” to operate outside casino regulation while remaining largely beyond the reach of enforcement agencies.

Despite ruling against the industry, the court stopped short of ordering an immediate shutdown. Recognizing that businesses, clubs and organizations had relied on previous court decisions, the justices imposed a 120-day stay.

During that period, “no law enforcement agency is to take adverse action against owners or operators of ‘skill game’ devices in reliance upon this opinion.”

Cook said the court was attempting to avoid sudden economic disruption.

“The 120 days was a recognition by the Supreme Court that some businesses and private clubs and organizations rely on the cash flow that they get from skill games,” he explained.

The pause could prove important because lawmakers are already considering legislation that would create a formal regulatory structure for the industry.

What Senate Bill 756 and future legislation could mean

Senate Bill 756 proposes regulation by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, a 35% tax on skill-game revenue, a seven-machine limit per location and a minimum player age of 21. The legislation would also establish a Skill Gaming Fund, with proceeds divided between the state’s General Fund and programs addressing problem gambling.

Supporters of regulation argue that the industry has operated for years without meaningful oversight. In November, Senator Dan Laughlin wrote on X: “Unregulated skill games are undercutting our gaming industry and threatening local jobs, including right here at Presque Isle Downs.”

“I’m committed to finding a fair, enforceable solution that levels the playing field.”

Pace-O-Matic has pushed for regulation as well, though it supports a different proposal. Mike Barley, the company’s Chief of Public Affairs, said: “We look forward to working with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and lawmakers to pass common sense regulation and fair taxation of the legal skill game industry. We support Senate Bill 626, sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw, which does just that.”

Barley argued that alternative proposals could harm businesses and nonprofit groups that depend on machine revenue.

“Skill games help to support thousands of Pennsylvania small businesses, fraternal and volunteer organizations, including VFWs, American Legions and volunteer fire companies,” he said.

The industry has also faced increased scrutiny in other legal matters. In 2025, the estate of murdered gaming-store clerk Ashokkumar Patel was awarded $15.3 million in a negligence case involving Pace-O-Matic and Miele Manufacturing. Pace-O-Matic responded by calling the decision “an unfortunate outcome” and said it planned to appeal.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have continued pursuing illegal gambling operations. In April 2026, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced guilty pleas from Buffalo Skills Games, Inc. and J.J. Amusement, Inc. in a case involving hundreds of illegal video gambling machines.

“Illegal gambling operations are not victimless crimes,” Sunday said. “They can fuel criminal enterprises, exploit individuals addicted to gambling, and rip off consumers with games that are not regulated, provide little or no chance of winning, and do not comply with gambling self-exclusion lists intended to protect those struggling with addiction.”

For now, the Supreme Court has settled a question that dominated Pennsylvania gambling law for years. Whether the future involves regulation, taxation, legalization, tighter controls or prohibition, the next major decisions will come from the General Assembly rather than the courts.

Featured image: Canva

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Today in prediction market news, we’re following the biggest developments across the industry in real time, including Novig’s CFTC approval, the latest movement on crypto market legislation, and other major stories shaping prediction markets, sports event trading, and regulated forecasting platforms. Follow our live blog throughout the day for breaking updates, market reactions, and analysis from across the prediction markets and iGaming sectors.

The post Novig CFTC approval, crypto bill, today in prediction market news LIVE appeared first on ReadWrite.

The Cayuga Nation has filed a federal lawsuit against Caesars Sportsbook, alleging the company accepted sports wagers from within the Nation’s reservation without authorization and in violation of federal gaming law.

Court documents filed Tuesday (June 16) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York accused American Wagering, Inc., operating as Caesars Sportsbook, of offering sports betting services inside the boundaries of the Nation’s federally recognized 64,015-acre reservation.

According to the complaint seen by ReadWrite, Caesars conducted sports wagering on tribal land “without the Nation’s authorization, approval of a Tribal-State compact, or oversight by the National Indian Gaming Commission (‘NIGC’) or the Secretary of the Interior, as required by IGRA.”

The Nation argues that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act grants tribes authority over gaming on Indian lands unless specific federal requirements are satisfied. It says Class III gaming, including sports betting, can only take place under a tribal gaming ordinance and an approved Tribal-State compact.

The lawsuit states that the Cayuga Nation has adopted only a Class II gaming ordinance and has never entered into a compact authorizing Class III gaming. Because of that, the complaint alleges that “no class III gaming, including sports betting, can be lawfully conducted on the Nation’s Reservation.”

Cayuga Nation claims Caesars accepted unauthorized reservation wagers

The allegation suggests that Caesars accepted wagers from within the reservation between approximately January 8, 2022, and July 15, 2025. The Nation claims those activities violated federal law, breached its gaming ordinance, and interfered with tribal authority over gaming regulation.

The filing says a cease-and-desist letter was sent to Caesars on June 20, 2025. Caesars allegedly responded on July 15, 2025, agreeing to geofence its platform outside reservation boundaries. The Nation says the company later declined to provide a complete accounting of wagering activity and revenue generated from bets placed within the reservation.

The complaint also includes a false advertising claim under the Lanham Act. The Nation argues Caesars promotes itself as a fully compliant sportsbook throughout New York while failing to disclose restrictions that may apply on Indian lands. According to the filing, the company’s marketing creates “the misleading impression that its platform is legally available everywhere within the State, without geographic restriction.”

The lawsuit comes as the Cayuga Nation pursues other gaming-related legal battles. In July, a federal judge allowed the Nation’s lawsuit against New York State over lottery activity to move forward. It challenges the state’s operation of Class III gaming products, including lottery terminals tied to Powerball and Mega Millions, on tribal land. Cayuga leaders contend the state failed to secure a valid compact and infringed on tribal sovereignty.

The Caesars case also arrives during a period of major change for the gaming industry. In May, Fertitta Entertainment announced a proposed $17.6 billion acquisition of Caesars Entertainment that would combine casino resorts, digital gaming brands, loyalty programs, sportsbooks, and hospitality operations across the United States. The transaction remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

The Cayuga Nation is seeking declarations that Caesars violated federal law and tribal rights, along with damages, revenue disclosures, and additional court-ordered relief.

Featured image: Cayuga Nation via website

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When Novig announced that it had secured designation as a Designated Contract Market (DCM) from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the obvious headline was regulatory approval.

The more interesting headline is that a startup just received federal permission to take a run at the sportsbook industry.

That’s what could make this significant.

The sports betting business has spent the better part of a decade building itself around a state-by-state licensing model. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and everyone else have poured enormous sums into acquiring licenses, market access agreements, compliance infrastructure, lobbying efforts and customer acquisition campaigns across dozens of jurisdictions.

Novig just walked through a different door.

Why the Novig CFTC designation matters

Rather than obtaining permission from 38 different states one at a time, Novig now has a federal framework under the CFTC. According to the company, the designation will allow it to operate nationwide this summer under a single regulatory structure built around market surveillance, compliance standards and anti-manipulation protections.

That may not sound revolutionary. It is.

Because Novig appears to be trying to make the sportsbook itself look outdated.

For years, sportsbooks have operated on a fairly straightforward premise: they’re the house, you’re not. They set the prices, they manage the risk and, over time, the math works in their favor. That’s not a criticism. That’s the business model.

Novig has spent years arguing that sports markets should work differently.

Founder and CEO Jacob Fortinsky put it rather bluntly in announcing the approval on X: “For decades, the industry has been built around a simple premise: the house wins. Our designation validates a different approach.”

It seems to be a direct attack on the economics of sports betting.

A federal alternative to sportsbooks

Novig’s argument is that sports fans shouldn’t be betting against a bookmaker, but should be trading against one another.

In Fortinsky’s words: “A place where prices are determined by supply and demand. Where users trade directly with one another. Where success isn’t punished. Where there’s no house. And where transparency is built into the product itself.”

Whether that vision ultimately wins is beside the point. The important development is that regulators have now given Novig the ability to test that vision at national scale.

And that’s where things get uncomfortable for incumbents.

For years, one of the industry’s dirty little secrets has been that sportsbooks love recreational bettors and are considerably less enthusiastic about successful ones. Winning too much can get a customer limited, restricted or shown the door altogether.

Novig has built much of its pitch around that frustration.

The company says its exchange structure removes “unfair odds and punitive limits on winning traders” while creating a market where prices are driven by real-time supply and demand rather than bookmaker discretion.

Again, that’s not merely a product feature. It’s a critique of the existing industry.

What’s particularly interesting is that Novig is framing sports trading as a market.

Fortinsky wrote: “We’re building the financial market for sports, specifically designed for sports traders by sports traders.”

That’s a statement with enormous implications.

For decades, sports wagering has been regulated primarily as gaming. Prediction market operators have increasingly argued that event contracts belong closer to financial markets than casinos. Novig’s approval doesn’t settle that debate, but it certainly gives that argument more credibility than it had yesterday.

After all, the CFTC doesn’t regulate blackjack tables.

The agency’s designation order places Novig within the same regulatory architecture used to oversee futures and derivatives exchanges. That’s a meaningful distinction, particularly at a time when regulators, operators and lawmakers are still trying to figure out exactly what sports event contracts should be.

The emergence of sports event contracts as a financial product and how it  could reshape sompetition

There’s another detail worth noting.

Fortinsky described the approval as “the fastest designation of its kind in CFTC history.”

If accurate, that suggests regulators are becoming increasingly comfortable evaluating event-based exchanges within existing market frameworks rather than treating them as regulatory anomalies.

That may prove just as important as the designation itself.

Because while everyone is focused on Novig today, the bigger question is who comes next.

The sports betting industry has largely been built on the assumption that nationwide sports wagering would always be fragmented across state borders. Novig’s approval challenges that assumption.

Suddenly there’s a federally regulated competitor that can tell users: trade with each other, get market-driven pricing, and do it under one national framework.

That’s a very different pitch from “bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets.”

Maybe consumers won’t care.

Maybe sportsbooks will continue to dominate.

Or maybe the industry’s next chapter won’t be about building a better sportsbook at all.

Maybe it’s about replacing the sportsbook altogether.

That’s what makes Novig’s designation unusual. Not because a company received regulatory approval, but because the approval legitimizes an entirely different vision for how sports markets should operate.

And for the first time, that vision has a national stage.

Featured image: Novig

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Temporary casinos in Chicago and Waukegan will remain open longer after Illinois regulators approved extensions, allowing operations to continue while permanent resorts are built and a tribal-backed legal challenge tied to the Waukegan license remains unresolved. The decision keeps gaming activity running at both locations while work continues on their permanent casino developments.

The board approved steps tied to provisions contained in the state’s Revenue Omnibus Bill, which is still awaiting the governor’s signature. Once that happens, authority delegated to the Illinois Gaming Board administrator will allow the extensions to move forward.

Under the plan, Bally’s Chicago Operating Company, LLC, doing business as Bally’s Chicago, can continue operating its temporary casino for another 12 months. The extension covers the period from September 6, 2026, through September 9, 2027.

In Waukegan, FHR-Illinois LLC, doing business as American Place, received approval for an additional 18 months of temporary operations. Its extension runs from August 18, 2027, through February 17, 2029.

Bally’s temporary casino goes ahead in Illinois as Waukegan still faces tribal lawsuit

The Chicago extension comes as Bally’s continues construction on its permanent riverfront casino and entertainment complex. Earlier this year, the $1.7 billion development reached its full structural height, marking a major construction milestone. The project is expected to become the city’s first permanent casino destination and remains one of the largest gaming developments underway in Illinois.

In Waukegan, the long-running casino licensing process has continued to draw attention. A lawsuit involving the Forest County Potawatomi Community has challenged aspects of the selection process and could potentially require the city to revisit elements of how casino licenses were evaluated. Despite that legal dispute, development plans for the permanent American Place casino have continued to move ahead.

Board members also discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen responsible gambling protections. Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter said the agency is working with researchers and industry experts to examine possible upgrades to the state’s voluntary Self-Exclusion Program.

“The IGB’s goal is to expand coverage to the Self-Exclusion Program to address existing gaps through research-driven and data-informed changes and enhancements to help ensure the program continues to evolve, serve the needs of participants, and best support individuals in their treatment and recovery from problem gambling without undue barriers,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. 

“Among other actions, we are engaged with experts to determine the most viable technical solution to incorporate the Self-Exclusion Program into Illinois video gaming, an agency priority that I have frequently discussed. While we have made no decisions or finalized plans on the technology or implementation methodology, we are committed to achieving this important goal and we are moving forward.”

Fruchter said more updates are expected later this summer.

The meeting also included several licensing decisions. Regulators approved renewals and occupational licenses across casino gaming, video gaming and sports wagering, while denying one casino occupational license application and one video gaming location application. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for August 20, 2026. Illinois currently has 17 casinos, 13 active and approved sportsbooks, and nearly 9,000 licensed video gaming establishments.

Featured image: Waukegan American Place via website

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Today in prediction market news, we’re tracking the latest developments across the industry, including World Cup market reactions, Kalshi’s AI agent rollout, and other major stories shaping the space. Follow our live coverage throughout the day for up-to-the-minute prediction markets and iGaming news.

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Nevada gaming regulators say an investigation into unusual sports betting tied to Fresno State men’s basketball has led to an arrest, while authorities continue searching for other people allegedly involved in the scheme.

According to an announcement published on Thursday (June 11) from the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the case centers on proposition wagers connected to the alleged intentional underperformance of a Fresno State athlete during the 2024-25 season. Investigators say former and current associates linked to college basketball programs used inside information to place bets and profit from the results.

Authorities said the inquiry relied on subpoenas, financial records, cellphone data, information supplied by licensed sportsbooks, and coordination with the NCAA. Regulators said that evidence established probable cause that multiple individuals worked together to place fraudulent wagers connected to a Fresno State game played on January 7, 2025.

The Gaming Control Board said one suspect was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on May 5, 2026. The person faces allegations under Nevada law that include fraudulent acts, conspiracy to cheat at gambling, and conspiracy to launder money.

Nevada investigation focuses on Fresno State alleged betting scheme

Officials have not publicly identified the arrested individual. The agency also said additional suspects have not yet been apprehended and that criminal cases against others remain under development. Because the investigation is still active, regulators declined to release further details.

Investigators say the alleged misconduct focused on proposition betting markets rather than wagers on the final outcome of games. According to the board, evidence indicated bettors acted on advance knowledge that a player would intentionally underperform.

The case arrives amid scrutiny of sports wagering issues across college athletics. Earlier reports involving the University of New Orleans men’s basketball program led to the suspension of four players during an investigation into possible gambling-related violations. Separate NCAA enforcement actions have also shown concerns about manipulated betting activity, with six student-athletes reportedly expelled after findings tied to improper wagering conduct. In February 2025, we reported that Fresno State had suspended two of its top-scoring players and removed a third player from the team. 

By September, the NCAA had identified three players—Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez, and Jalen Weaver—from Fresno State and San Jose State who had been dismissed from their teams and expelled from their schools after being found to have gambled on their own games.

Those NCAA disciplinary actions were separate from the Nevada criminal investigation, and the Gaming Control Board has not identified any of those players as suspects.

Nevada regulators said cooperation with the NCAA played an important role in the Fresno State investigation. The NCAA had already reviewed betting-related concerns involving members of the Fresno State program and found violations connected to sports wagering and game manipulation.

In the statement announcing the arrest, NGCB Chairman Mike Dreitzer said, “The Nevada Gaming Control Board remains committed to protecting the integrity of Nevada’s gaming industry and will continue to aggressively investigate any activity that threatens the fairness and public confidence of regulated sports wagering.”

For now, the Gaming Control Board says it will not release additional information. Investigators remain focused on identifying and pursuing other suspects, and officials say the wider criminal investigation is still underway.

Featured image: Cadking3 via WikiCommons / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Brendan Sorsby is headed for the NFL Supplemental Draft, bringing an abrupt end to his short stay at Texas Tech, while a wider legal clash between the school, the NCAA and the Big 12 continues to unfold.

In a statement posted to Instagram, Sorsby wrote: “I am grateful for the support from my family, my Tech coaching staff, teammates, the community, and so many others who have encouraged me to address and learn more about this important issue.”

Sorsby said. ‘”As my journey continues, I remain fully committed to and focused on being the best I can be, both on and off the field.” The quarterback did not directly address the Big 12’s lawsuit or the allegations detailed in the conference’s complaint, instead focusing on those who supported him during the controversy and his plans moving forward.

His departure arrives only days after the Big 12 filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Tech University, the Texas Tech University System and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Through that filing, conference leaders asked a court to confirm that the league can punish member schools under its bylaws when their conduct is viewed as conflicting with conference interests and values.

This follows Texas Tech’s previous plan to use Sorsby during the 2026 season despite questions surrounding his eligibility. Court filings cited by the conference describe an extensive history of sports wagering during Sorsby’s time at Indiana and later Cincinnati.

“The Big 12 has long spoken out about the dangers of sports wagering by student-athletes and remains committed to protecting the competitive integrity of conference competition. Universities should not field players who have bet on their own team’s games in college athletics.”

According to the complaint, Sorsby admitted placing thousands of bets while enrolled at those schools. The filing claims he made at least 40 wagers involving Indiana football games while on the team, wagered heavily on other college sports and was involved in betting activity totaling at least $90,000. The conference also alleges he transferred more than $60,000 to another person to place bets on his behalf and says some of that activity may have violated laws in multiple states.

“Universities should not field players who have bet on their own team’s games in college athletics,” the Big 12 Board of Directors said in a statement issued after the lawsuit was filed.

Big 12 Conference files lawsuit over Brendan Sorsby as he enters NFL Draft

The legal fight intensified after a Texas judge issued an injunction that prevented the NCAA from enforcing eligibility restrictions against Sorsby while separate litigation moves forward. The ruling was widely viewed as a significant victory for Texas Tech, which argued that the quarterback should be allowed to play as the case proceeds.

The Big 12, however, has maintained that NCAA eligibility and conference governance are separate matters. In its lawsuit, the conference argues that even if a player is cleared to participate under a court order, the league still has independent authority to examine whether sanctions against a member institution are appropriate.

Court documents indicate Texas Tech informed the conference it intended to play Sorsby, prompting concerns among other member schools. The filing says some institutions wanted the board to consider penalties that could include financial sanctions or limits tied to participation in the conference championship game.

The conference further argues that its members have “no interest in being required to endorse or even appearing to endorse unethical and indeed unlawful conduct that strikes at the heart of athletic integrity.”

Texas Tech has pushed back against the conference’s position and warned against attempts to impose sanctions while the underlying litigation remains unresolved. 

With Sorsby now leaving for the Supplemental Draft, the immediate eligibility controversy appears to be over. The court battle, though, remains active as the Big 12 seeks judicial confirmation of the powers it says are necessary to protect confidence in conference competition.

Featured image: Brendan Sorsby via Instagram

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Playtech has launched its iPoker network in North America for the first time through a new partnership with FanDuel, expanding the company’s poker footprint into regulated markets in the United States and Canada.

The company’s iPoker platform now powers poker games offered through the PokerStars-branded product available exclusively on FanDuel. The service is live in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Ontario, Canada.

With the launch, FanDuel becomes the first operator in North America to use Playtech’s poker technology. Playtech said the agreement forms part of its plans to grow its presence in regulated gaming markets across the region.

Playtech and FanDuel join forces for iPoker North America launch

The rollout follows the launch earlier this year of PokerStars exclusively on FanDuel. The product combines FanDuel’s customer base with the PokerStars brand and allows players in participating jurisdictions to join the same network for tournaments and cash games.

The launch also comes after FanDuel received approval to participate in a multi-state poker network in Michigan, a development that expanded opportunities for shared player liquidity across regulated markets.

Playtech said bringing iPoker to North America is an important step for a product that has been operating in international markets for years. Through the FanDuel partnership, the network is now available to players across several regulated jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada.

Marat Koss, Chief Interactive Gaming Officer at Playtech, said: “Debuting our industry-leading iPoker platform in North America with a valued partner like FanDuel is a defining moment for Playtech’s North American expansion. We’re immensely proud to bring our poker platform to three major regulated markets and support FanDuel in their mission to deliver a top-tier poker experience to players.”

According to Playtech, FanDuel’s position in the North American online gaming market made it a suitable partner for the expansion. The company said the launch supports its broader efforts to increase its presence in regulated jurisdictions.

The agreement adds poker to FanDuel’s existing online gaming portfolio and extends the relationship between the two companies. FanDuel customers can access Playtech’s poker infrastructure through a network designed to support larger player pools and tournament offerings.

For Playtech, the deal marks the first deployment of its iPoker technology in North America and establishes the network’s presence in four regulated markets across the region.

Featured image: FanDuel / Playtech

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A fresh social media dispute swept through the MMA world on Sunday (June 14) after screenshots surfaced that appeared to show Eric Trump asking UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier about fighter injuries and whether any fights were “rigged” ahead of UFC Freedom 250.

Images shared widely on X appeared to depict a private exchange from an account carrying Eric Trump’s name. The alleged messages sought information that could be valuable to bettors before the highly publicized card being held on White House grounds as part of celebrations tied to President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary.

The screenshots alleged Cormier replied that he was not allowed to wager on UFC events and that he believed fighters scheduled to compete were healthy and ready.

Debate over authenticity quickly spread across social media. Some users questioned whether the images were genuine, while others focused on the broader issue of insider information in sports betting.

Trump responded with a categorical denial.

“This is completely fake! I have never reached out to Daniel. In fact, this is scary,” Trump wrote on X.

He later argued that artificial intelligence was responsible for the images.

“We are aware of the fake, AI generated screenshots being circulated online. I have never spoken to Daniel. He has since deleted his post, which confirms it was clearly fabricated.”

Questions remain over Eric Trump  UFC betting claims screenshots

It immediately faced pushback through an X Community Note. The note stated that journalists and other observers reported seeing Cormier post the screenshots before removing them. It also argued that deleting a post does not prove an image was fabricated.

Cormier later added another layer to the controversy when he posted, “Are people really this dumb?”

Although he did not directly mention the screenshots, many users took the remark as a rejection of the claims. Trump appeared to agree, reposting the message and adding: “Thanks Daniel.”

The dispute arrived at a time when betting integrity has become an increasingly sensitive issue for the UFC. Recent reports have shown canceled bouts linked to suspicious wagering activity, investigations into unusual betting patterns, and public discussion surrounding allegations of match fixing. It has drawn attention from sportsbooks, regulators, and fans concerned about the impact of nonpublic information on betting markets.

Separate reporting has also featured fighters strongly rejecting suggestions they would compromise competition for gambling purposes.

Against that backdrop, the viral screenshots attracted outsized attention despite the absence of verified evidence supporting the claims. As of publication, the screenshots have not been independently verified. 

Trump has denied any contact with Cormier, and Cormier’s later public comments were widely interpreted as supporting that denial. No evidence has emerged showing that wagers were placed, confidential information was obtained, or any improper conduct occurred.

ReadWrite has reached out to the UFC for comment.

Featured image: X2o via WikiCommons / Xuthoria via WikiCommons / CC BY-SA 4.0

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A Minnesota administrative law judge is recommending that Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light & Power Association keep supplying electricity to the Upper Sioux Community, even as the tribe moves ahead with a major solar-and-battery installation aimed at lowering energy costs at Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort.

In findings issued June 8, Administrative Law Judge Joseph C. Meyer determined that the proposed 2.5-megawatt solar array and 800-kilowatt battery storage system is designed to serve on-site needs rather than sell electricity into the grid. According to the ruling, the project is intended to offset roughly 30% of Prairie’s Edge power consumption.

The judge found that the tribe intends for “all power generated by the Project to be consumed or stored on its land” and not exported for sale.

Prairie’s Edge opened in 2003 on trust land within the reservation and operates continuously. The property includes a 160-room hotel and a 20,000-square-foot conference center. Court findings note that casino revenue supports a wide range of tribal government functions, including housing, education, health care, cultural preservation, veteran services, rehabilitation efforts and future economic development.

Dispute centered on Upper Sioux casino solar project

The disagreement began after the Upper Sioux Community hired Wolf River Electric in 2024 to develop the facility on tribal trust land near the casino. Minnesota Valley Cooperative, which serves about 5,250 members in western Minnesota, argued that projects exceeding 40 kilowatts could not simply offset a member’s own demand and instead would require power exports beyond the cooperative’s territory.

In November 2024, the cooperative sent a cease-and-desist notice warning that construction and operation must stop or the tribe “risks being disconnected from electric power service.”

The tribe responded that the project fell within its sovereign authority and maintained that the zero-export design complied with applicable laws and cooperative policies. After mediation efforts failed, the matter moved to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and was later referred for a contested case proceeding.

During the case, the cooperative, the tribe and the Minnesota Department of Commerce ultimately agreed that the facility qualifies as a behind-the-meter, zero-export distributed energy resource.

Meyer concluded that neither Minnesota law nor the cooperative’s Board Policy 323 allows the cooperative to impose size restrictions on a behind-the-meter, zero-export system. He also concluded that disconnecting service as a penalty for building or operating the project would conflict with the cooperative’s obligation to provide electricity.

The recommendation does not give the project an unconditional green light. Meyer cited unresolved engineering questions and found that an earlier system impact study did not accurately reflect the project’s final design. He recommended a new independent study and any resulting safety upgrades before service continues under the proposed framework.

The commission will ultimately decide whether to adopt, modify or reject the recommendation.

The case arrives as tribal gaming and development projects continue drawing attention across the US. In Montana, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes recently opened the 400 Horses Casino. In California, litigation involving the North Fork Rancheria has generated multiple court battles, including a lawsuit challenging casino-related issues and a separate federal ruling that temporarily paused tribal litigation connected to a Northern California casino dispute.

Featured image: Google Maps

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Today in prediction market news, we’re closely tracking developments as Kalshi sits at the center of multiple lawsuits filed over the weekend. Follow our live coverage throughout the day for up-to-the-minute iGaming and prediction markets news.

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