The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has not been overly happy with the National Council on Problem Gambling’s (NCPG) decision to admit Kalshi as an organizational member.
Yet, the regulator has stopped short of actually severing ties with the NCPG over the issue, with a recent discussion between commissioners shedding some light on what the mood was inside the Bay State gambling regulator towards the NCPG’s ties with Kalshi.
MCG Discusses NCPG’s Ties to Kalshi
The MCG and other regulators, including lawmakers in Minnesota, have publicly protested over a donation received by the organization from Kalshi, a prediction market platform that many gaming regulators are targeting over what they claim is “illegal gambling.”
The MCG is staying on board with the NCPG, but Chairman Jordan Maynard hinted that a rift may be imminent, saying: “When it comes up for renewal, I am sure we will have another conversation.”
Previously, the NCPG lost members in Michigan, Ohio, and Nevada, with all state gaming regulators choosing to exit the organization due to a $2-million donation made by the prediction market platform to support responsible gambling research.
Observers noted at the time that the donation made no sense. Kalshi has publicly defended itself by saying that it does not provide gambling options, but suddenly the company is funding problem gambling research.
For the Michigan Gaming Control Board, that was enough reason to quit cold turkey, cancelling funding and upcoming events.
The Issue Is Not Prediction Markets Themselves
The NCPG, however, has publicly denied endorsing Kalshi and its event contracts.
NCPG executive director Heather Maurer and NCPG director of policy and partnerships Cole Wogoman have told Mark Vander Linden, MGC’s director of research and responsible gambling, that accepting the donation was not an endorsement of the company.
The NCPG insists that it is neutral when it comes to the legality of gambling, wagering, and prediction markets. MGC commissioner Paul Brodeur clarified that the issue was not with prediction markets per se, but the means that were used to market and advertise the products.
