A U.S. gaming industry trade group called the NHL’s partnership with prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket “deeply concerning” on Wednesday.
Key Takeaways
- AGA says prediction platform partnership sends a “troubling message.”
- Members of the group include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and other sports betting operators.
- Kalshi and Polymarket have access to several marketing tools and brand exposure with the new deal.
In a statement released to ESPN, the American Gaming Association spoke out about the first professional league in the U.S. creating a marketing agreement with trading exchanges that offer sports event contracts, saying they are illegal forms of gambling.
“Contrary to the league’s claims, the future of these platforms is far from certain, evidenced by the legal proceedings in multiple states, the view of well over half of the nation’s attorneys general, and state regulators determining these platforms to be illegal,” AGA president and CEO Bill Miller said in the statement. “This move sends a troubling message: that integrity, responsibility, and clear legality are optional in sports gaming.”
Strongly worded statement from the American Gaming Association on today's NHL-prediction market deal: pic.twitter.com/a7m51pToeo
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) October 22, 2025
Marketing tools
Earlier on Wednesday, the pro hockey league made a multi-year agreement that makes Kalshi and Polymarket the official prediction market platforms of the NHL, and gives the pair of trading companies rights to the league’s marks, logo, and official designations on their products and platforms. The two prediction market companies will also receive arena signage and broadcast promotions.
“No professional league should lend its brand to companies operating in defiance of state law and consumer protection norms,” Miller said.
Failure to comply
Members of the AGA include sports betting operators FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, bet365, as well as casinos and tribal gaming leaders. The group is in opposition of the partnership because it says Kalshi and Polymarket “fail to comply with essential standards” like the legal, regulated sports betting companies the group represents.
The AGA takes great exception to prediction market platforms allowing users of 18 years of age to access contract purchasing in states where adults have to be 21 to bet at legal sportsbooks.
“Over the past seven years, the legal U.S. sports betting market has proven that a transparent, accountable, and regulated system benefits everyone – fans, leagues, states, and most importantly, consumers,” Miller said. “Undermining that success with backdoor gambling schemes masquerading as ‘financial products’ is reckless and shortsighted.”
Under fire
The NHL’s partnership does not include Canada, where seven of the league’s franchises are located. In the U.S., Kalshi is federally regulated and operates in all 50 U.S. states. However, state regulators in several legal sports betting jurisdictions, including Nevada, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Ohio, which all have NHL teams, are fighting legal battles with Kalshi.
Polymarket has not operated in the U.S. since 2022, but the prediction platform has regained access and is expected to launch sometime this year.
“As prediction markets continue to evolve at a rapid pace, partnering with the two market leaders, Kalshi and Polymarket, provides a tremendous opportunity for the broadest fan engagement during the NHL season,” said Keith Wachtel, president, NHL Business. “Polymarket and Kalshi are ideal partners as this category continues to grow and expand.”
