Michigan Orders Four Prediction Markets to Stop Sports Contracts in the State
Polymarket US must close contracts by 25 November as Michigan joins IAGR’s licence-check week.
Key Takeaways
- Polymarket US must close sports event contracts held by Michigan customers by November 25 under an October 28 federal court-approved agreement.
- Kalshi is barred by a preliminary injunction, and Michigan secured similar restrictions against Coinbase and Robinhood.
- None of the four platforms holds a Michigan sports betting licence and appeals over federal versus state jurisdiction are pending before the Sixth Circuit.
- Michigan joined IAGR’s Illegal Gambling Awareness Week (November 9–13) and is promoting the free CheckBeforeYouPlay.org licence checker developed with Sharp Vision.
Michigan has secured restrictions against four prediction market platforms offering sports event contracts to state residents, and one platform must close remaining contracts by November 25. A federal court-approved agreement from October 28 requires Polymarket US to shut contracts held by Michigan customers; Kalshi is under a preliminary injunction, and Michigan previously restricted Coinbase and Robinhood from offering sports event contracts in the state.
Court orders and platform actions
Polymarket US agreed on October 28, in a federal court-approved settlement, to close remaining sports event contracts held by Michigan customers by November 25 and has already stopped offering new contracts in the state. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) obtained earlier orders restricting Coinbase and Robinhood from offering similar sports contracts to Michigan residents. A preliminary injunction currently prevents Kalshi from offering sports event contracts in Michigan.
None of the four platforms — Polymarket US, Kalshi, Coinbase, Robinhood — holds a Michigan sports betting licence. The underlying legal dispute over whether state gambling law or federal commodities regulation governs these prediction contracts is unresolved. Prediction market operators contend federal commodities regulators have authority; Michigan treats sports-outcome contracts as gambling that requires state authorisation. The settlements and injunctions do not resolve that legal question, and related appeals are pending before the Sixth Circuit.
International campaign and licensing tool
The MGCB’s enforcement activity coincides with the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) coordinating Illegal Gambling Awareness Week from November 9–13. The campaign launched a free licensing checker, CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, developed using technology provided by Sharp Vision. The website allows players to enter a gambling website address and review licensing records from participating jurisdictions.
The MGCB is promoting the campaign in Michigan via radio spots, videos and social media under the message “Play it safe. Bet legal.”
"Illegal gambling doesn't stop at state or national borders, and neither can our response," said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board. "Working with IAGR and our fellow regulators lets us share information and act faster to protect players here in Michigan and around the world."
Player protections and reporting
Michigan has already sent hundreds of cease-and-desist letters to offshore and unlicensed gambling operators. Licensed Michigan online casinos and sportsbooks must verify customers are at least 21, protect player funds, offer gambling limits and follow responsible gaming requirements; unlicensed sites operate outside those safeguards.
"Illegal gambling operators want you to believe they're just another option. They're not," said Henry Williams. "When you play with an unlicensed operator, there's no one verifying your age or identity, no one making sure your winnings get paid, and no regulator you can turn to when something goes wrong."
Michigan advises players to verify licences before depositing and to report suspected unlicensed gambling to 1-888-314-2682. The Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline provides free, confidential support at 1-800-GAMBLER. For more on the regulatory context see regulation and reporting guidance in news.
Frequently Asked Questions
What deadline was set for Polymarket US to close Michigan contracts?
Polymarket US must close remaining sports event contracts held by Michigan customers by November 25 under a federal court-approved agreement reached on October 28. The platform has already agreed to stop offering new contracts in the state.
Which platforms are affected by Michigan’s restrictions?
The affected platforms are Polymarket US, Kalshi, Coinbase and Robinhood. Polymarket US has a court-approved agreement, Kalshi is subject to a preliminary injunction, and the MGCB previously secured restrictions against Coinbase and Robinhood.
How can Michigan residents check if a gambling site is licensed?
Michigan is promoting CheckBeforeYouPlay.org, a free licensing checker launched during Illegal Gambling Awareness Week (November 9–13) and built with technology from Sharp Vision. The site lets players enter a gambling website address to review licensing records from participating jurisdictions.
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About the author
Tessa Coleman
Betting Markets Correspondent
Tessa Coleman covers betting products and markets — sportsbook launches, odds and trading technology, and the fast-growing prediction-market space from regulated exchanges to event contracts. The stories lead with the product or the ruling, name the operators and platforms precisely, and translate trading jargon into what bettors can actually do. When a book reworks its pricing or a prediction market wins a license fight, Tessa Coleman explains the mechanics and the stakes.
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