The National Football League (NFL) announced on Monday that its gambling regulations specifically ban players and staff from engaging with prediction market platforms, arguing that these sites “simulate sports betting” and could be subject to manipulation risks.
Sabrina Perel, the NFL’s Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, informed the press that players must refrain from making football-related predictions on these platforms, while all league personnel are prohibited from placing any bets.
“We believe these platforms emulate sports betting, and thus fall within the scope of conduct that is prohibited according to our guidelines,” Perel stated. “This applies to all employees, and we are taking steps to educate everyone about this, clearly indicating that participation on these platforms is against our policy.”
Prediction market platforms like Kalshi enable users to trade on sports outcomes through contracts that closely resemble stock transactions, and are governed by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) instead of state gambling authorities.
David Highhill, the NFL’s Vice President of Sports Betting, expressed concerns over inconsistent regulations compared to traditional sportsbooks. “We are worried that improperly regulated markets could be vulnerable to manipulation or price fluctuations,” he said.
Highhill mentioned that the NFL objects to specific types of wagers, such as those regarding whether a kicker will fail a field goal or the outcome of a quarterback’s first pass, viewing them as particularly susceptible to manipulation and lacking significant fan interest. “It is our responsibility to monitor these activities to ensure we aren’t exposing ourselves to unnecessary risks,” he asserted.
In a statement to ESPN, Kalshi defended itself by highlighting its regulatory protections, including federal oversight and robust compliance measures. “Kalshi is committed to operating with the utmost integrity, implementing responsible trading options like deposit limits and self-exclusion features, and collaborating with oversight firms like IC360,” a company spokesperson stated. “We are dedicated to addressing the NFL’s concerns, sharing insights, and maintaining transparency within the legal framework.”