Ohio Becomes the Latest State to Cite MA Ruling in Its Battle Against Kalshi

A recent development in Massachusetts seems to have set a precedent in US regulators’ fight against the rapidly growing prediction markets space. The ruling, which was cited by regulators in several states, has now also been cited in the Ohio Casino Control Commission’s (OCCC) clash with prediction market providers.

The Tides of Battle May Be Turning

While Kalshi and other prediction markets have asserted that their products are financial contracts and therefore fall under the purview of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), state regulators and gaming stakeholders have been insisting that these products are inherently indistinguishable from gambling.

While efforts to tackle the prediction market space have so far mostly yielded mixed results, a recent development suggested that this may now change.

A few days ago, Kalshi received a significant blow in Massachusetts, where Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Christopher Barry-Smith sided with Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who had previously requested an injunction against the prediction market platform.

As a result, Kalshi was forced to shut down in the Bay State, at least for now.

The ruling has since become a precedent, encouraging other states to push back against the prediction markets sector.

The Massachusetts Ruling Echoes Nationwide

Only a few days after Nevada cited the Massachusetts ruling in its own battle against the prediction markets sector, Ohio has followed suit, also appealing to the case and submitting it as supplemental authority.

The battle in Massachusetts kicked off in Spring 2025 when the OCCC ordered several prediction markets operators, including Kalshi, Crypto.com and Robinhood, to cease and desist.

Kalshi, however, struck back, taking the OCCC to court. The platform highlighted its intention to fight back in all states where its products have been rejecting, claiming that the CFTC license takes precedence over local laws.

Kalshi has therefore been seeking a preliminary injunction to continue operating in the Buckeye State. However, the OCCC has now appealed to the recent Massachusetts ruling, hoping to bring Kalshi to heel.

As mentioned, Ohio isn’t the only state to appeal to the MA ruling in their own lawsuits against Kalshi. As mentioned, Nevada did the same, and so did New York, New Jersey, and Tennessee.