New York AG Seeks $36B From Kalshi Over 'Illegal Gambling'

The counts run from the New York Constitution's gambling ban to bookmaking, possession of gambling records, unlicensed mobile sports wagering and the federal Wire Act. The state also wants $100,000 for every offer of sports wagering, restitution and disgorgement.

“Kalshi has chosen to ignore New York’s gaming laws, which exist to protect consumers, prevent problematic gambling, deliver funding for critical public services, and ensure that every company plays by the same rules,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul in a statement, adding that the state was taking action to stop its "illegal behaviour" and bring the firm into compliance.

Investigators placed test bets, including four contracts on Connecticut to beat Michigan in April for $1.14 including fees. The petition says Kalshi lets 18-year-olds open accounts where New York sets the floor at 21, and offers markets on games involving New York college teams, which even licensed operators are barred from touching.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission had moved first. It sued New York in April to establish that federal law gives it sole authority over event contracts, and on Thursday asked the court in that case for a restraining order barring the state from bringing criminal or civil enforcement against Kalshi or any other CFTC-registered platform. New York filed the next day regardless.

The Minnesota ruling turned on whether event contracts count as swaps under the Commodity Exchange Act. Judge Katherine Menendez found many do, and singled out sports and pop-culture markets as the doubtful cases. New York's petition is aimed almost entirely at sports.