Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has ordered six prediction market operators — Polymarket, Kalshi, Crypto.com, Novig, Underdog and Robinhood — to stop offering sports event contracts to Missouri residents. The AG argues the products amount to unlicensed sports wagering under state law. The move comes after voters approved regulated sports betting through Amendment 2 in 2024, with the market launching on December 1, 2025.
The Attorney General’s Office said the contracts qualify as unlicensed sports wagering under Missouri law. Hanaway also said federal law does not override state authority here. She added that sports event contracts do not meet the definition of “swaps” under the federal Commodity Exchange Act, a claim often used by illegal online sportsbooks.
“Missourians voted for a safe, well-regulated sports wagering market that supports public education and addresses problem gambling,” Hanaway said, as reported by Gaming Intelligence. “Companies cannot repackage sports bets as ‘event contracts’ to avoid Missouri law. We will enforce the rules voters approved and protect consumers.”
She added: “Any company that wants to offer sports wagering in Missouri must be licensed by the Missouri Gaming Commission, pay the required taxes and fees, and ensure no one under 21 can place a bet.”
Missouri’s Voter-Approved Sports Betting Framework
In 2024, Missouri voters approved Amendment 2 to legalize and regulate sports betting. The measure gave oversight to the Missouri Gaming Commission. The regulated market launched on December 1, 2025.
The framework requires strict age verification to block anyone under 21 from placing a sports wager. The AG’s office said Polymarket, Kalshi, Crypto.com, Underdog and Robinhood either allow underage users or lack safeguards to prevent under-21 access, according to Gaming Intelligence.
Compliance or Enforcement
Hanaway called on all six platforms to comply with Missouri law immediately. They must stop offering sports event contracts to Missouri residents unless they secure a license from the Missouri Gaming Commission.
The AG’s office said failure to comply will lead to enforcement action by the state.
