NCAA asks CFTC to suspend prediction markets

"The NCAA asked a federal regulatory body Wednesday to stop prediction markets from offering trades on college sports until more safeguards are in place. In a letter addressed to the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the federal agency that regulates prediction markets, NCAA president Charlie Baker said the growth of prediction markets poses a threat to the well-being of student-athletes as well as the integrity of competition. "I implore you to suspend collegiate sport prediction markets until a more robust system with appropriate safeguards is in place," Baker wrote."

"Kalshi, a leading prediction market company, uses IC360, a firm that monitors the betting market for irregularities and works with sports leagues, including the NCAA. Baker acknowledged that some prediction markets monitor for integrity concerns but said "heightened levels of review that don't exist in many prediction markets" are needed, such as tracing the geolocation of bettors. He also said prediction market operators are not required to report integrity concerns to other operators through an intermediary -- a requirement for sportsbooks in most states."

The NCAA asked the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to suspend prediction markets that offer college-sports trades until stronger safeguards are implemented. The NCAA identified needed protections including age and advertising restrictions, robust integrity monitoring, involvement of national governing bodies, limits on prop bets, harm-reduction resources and anti-harassment measures. Some prediction-market firms use third-party monitors like IC360, but the NCAA called for higher review levels such as tracing bettor geolocation and mandatory reporting of integrity concerns between operators. The NCAA offered to work with the CFTC to develop protections comparable to those required of legal sportsbooks and highlighted the request at the 2026 NCAA Convention.

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