Are Prediction Markets Legal in Michigan?

Last updated August 16, 2026. Snapshot — not legal advice.

As of August 16, 2026, Michigan has a restriction on prediction-market platforms currently in effect.

Prediction markets in Michigan

Restriction in effect (TRO)

An Ingham County judge granted the state a temporary restraining order barring Kalshi’s unlicensed sports event contracts (Michigan v. Kalshi, mid-2026), with $120,000/day fines for violations — even as the CFTC directed Kalshi to keep honoring pending Michigan trades, a live state-versus-federal tension. The federal case was remanded to state court in June 2026, and reporting describes an August 2026 geofencing deadline carrying substantially higher daily exposure than the original TRO fine.

Litigation affecting Michigan

Nessel v. KalshiEX LLCAn Ingham County judge granted the state a TRO (June 2026) barring sports event contracts; the CFTC directed Kalshi to keep honoring pending Michigan trades.

TRO in effect

Sports betting & gambling in Michigan

Legal — Online & Retail

Legalized December 2019; retail March 2020, online January 2021 The market is regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Tribal gaming: Significant (numerous tribal operators statewide).

The federal-vs-state fight

Every entry in this fight turns on the same question: does a prediction-market platform's federal regulation by the CFTC preempt a state's gambling law, or does the state retain authority to restrict it? Courts around the country are answering that question differently — sometimes for the platform, sometimes for the state — and almost every ruling so far is preliminary and under appeal. Treat this page as a snapshot, not a final word.

This page is informational, not legal advice. Nearly every litigation entry referenced here is a preliminary ruling under appeal. Always verify a platform's current, location-specific eligibility directly with the venue before relying on this page.