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Are Prediction Markets Legal in Massachusetts?

Status as of October 3, 2026 (re-checked October 14): Kalshi, Polymarket US, ProphetX and Novig available, dispute pending; OG sports contracts not offered. The court order against Kalshi is paused.

Catie Di Stefano By , Founder, PredictionRanks · Updated

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Quick Verdict: Kalshi, Polymarket US, ProphetX and Novig available, dispute pending; OG sports contracts not offered

Short answer: Kalshi's sports contracts are not blocked by court order in Massachusetts. A Superior Court judge ordered Kalshi to stop them in January 2026, but an appeals judge paused that order on February 17, 2026, and the Supreme Judicial Court, which heard the appeal on May 4, 2026, had not ruled when we checked on October 14, 2026. Kalshi, Polymarket US, ProphetX and Novig carry the status Available, dispute pending; OG does not offer sports contracts here. (Bloomberg Law (opens in a new tab); inGame (opens in a new tab))

Kalshi, Polymarket US, ProphetX and Novig: Available, dispute pending; OG: sports contracts not offered in Massachusetts. A Massachusetts judge ordered Kalshi to stop sports contracts in January 2026, but an appeals judge paused that order on 17 Feb 2026 while the state's highest court decides Kalshi's appeal (argued 4 May 2026); Polymarket has also sued the state. (source (opens in a new tab))

Nationally: Federal appeals courts are split on sports event contracts, all at the preliminary-injunction stage: the Third Circuit sided with Kalshi (Apr 6, 2026), the Ninth (Aug 28, 2026) and Sixth (Sep 25, 2026) sided with the states, and three Supreme Court petitions (Nos. 26-299, 26-338, 26-344) are pending; none has been granted.

  • Status (as of October 3, 2026; court dates and open cases re-checked October 14, 2026): Kalshi, Polymarket US, ProphetX and Novig: Available, dispute pending; OG: sports contracts not offered in Massachusetts.
  • Why: A Massachusetts judge ordered Kalshi to stop sports contracts in January 2026, but an appeals judge paused that order on 17 Feb 2026 while the state's highest court decides Kalshi's appeal (argued 4 May 2026); Polymarket has also sued the state.
  • Welcome offers that apply to Massachusetts residents (partner terms of Oct 1, 2026): Kalshi, Polymarket US, ProphetX, Novig, Rebet. Not valid here: OG.
  • Age: Kalshi, Polymarket US, OG and Rebet set 18 as the minimum (ProphetX: 18 or the local age of majority if higher); Novig sets 21. We recommend 21+.
  • Status describes whether each platform accepts Massachusetts residents, not whether trading is legal. We do not give legal advice.

Best offer right now

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Kalshi

Score 92/100

Trade $25 and Get $25!

Trade $25 in event contracts and get $25 in credit. Use code RANKPREDICTS at signup.

Code: RANKPREDICTS

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21+ · Terms apply · Partner terms of Oct 1, 2026

Certain limitations apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions at kalshi.com/tc/500. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.

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Status in Massachusetts as of October 3, 2026

PlatformStatusWhy (source)Welcome offer in Massachusetts
KalshiAvailable, dispute pendingA Massachusetts judge ordered Kalshi to stop sports contracts in January 2026, but an appeals judge paused that order on 17 Feb 2026 while the state's highest court decides Kalshi's appeal (argued 4 May 2026); Polymarket has also sued the state.source (opens in a new tab))Valid: Trade $25 and Get $25!
Polymarket USAvailable, dispute pendingPolymarket US accepts Massachusetts residents; a Massachusetts judge ordered Kalshi to stop sports contracts in January 2026, but an appeals judge paused that order on 17 Feb 2026 while the state's highest court decides Kalshi's appeal (argued 4 May 2026); Polymarket has also sued the state. (source (opens in a new tab))Valid: Deposit $10 get a $25 Trading Bonus!
ProphetXAvailable, dispute pendingProphetX accepts Massachusetts residents; a Massachusetts judge ordered Kalshi to stop sports contracts in January 2026, but an appeals judge paused that order on 17 Feb 2026 while the state's highest court decides Kalshi's appeal (argued 4 May 2026); Polymarket has also sued the state. (source (opens in a new tab))Valid: Trade $50, Earn $75!
OG (by Crypto.com)Sports contracts not offeredOG's help center says OG.com is available in all U.S. states but that certain event contracts are unavailable in certain states, and OG's prediction-markets explainer ("Eligibility and state restrictions") says Massachusetts residents cannot trade sports contracts; other categories may be open. Crypto.com said in Dec 2025 that it does not offer sports contracts in Massachusetts, and the OG welcome offer excludes Massachusetts. (source: OG Help Center; Sports Betting Dime (opens in a new tab))Not valid here
NovigAvailable, dispute pendingNovig accepts Massachusetts residents; a Massachusetts judge ordered Kalshi to stop sports contracts in January 2026, but an appeals judge paused that order on 17 Feb 2026 while the state's highest court decides Kalshi's appeal (argued 4 May 2026); Polymarket has also sued the state. (source (opens in a new tab))Valid: Deposit $10 Get $50 in Trade Credits!
RebetAvailable, dispute pendingRebet is a sweepstakes app, not a CFTC-regulated exchange; its sweepstakes rules include Massachusetts. (source (opens in a new tab))Valid: Get a 100% purchase match up to $100!

What changed (newest first)

Why the Massachusetts case matters

Massachusetts licenses sports wagering through the Massachusetts Gaming Commission↗ (opens in a new tab). The Attorney General sued Kalshi in Suffolk Superior Court on September 12, 2025, alleging it accepts online sports wagers in the state without a license (Attorney General's release (opens in a new tab)). The case is now before the state's highest court. On April 24, 2026 the CFTC filed a brief there arguing federal law preempts state law (CFTC release 9219-26 (opens in a new tab)), and 38 attorneys general (37 states and the District of Columbia) filed a brief arguing Kalshi must follow state gambling laws (New York Attorney General (opens in a new tab)). Massachusetts is in the First Circuit; neighbouring New Hampshire carries the status Available. See also the Supreme Court petitions.

What Massachusetts residents can trade right now

While the order is paused, no court order stops Kalshi, Polymarket US, ProphetX or Novig from offering sports contracts in Massachusetts, so sports (Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins), economics, politics, crypto and culture markets are open to residents on those platforms, subject to each app's own listings. OG does not offer sports contracts here; its other categories may be open. Which markets are listed changes daily, so check the app before you deposit.

Best prediction market platforms for Massachusetts residents

Status words below are as of October 3, 2026; court dates and open cases re-checked October 14, 2026. They describe whether a platform accepts Massachusetts residents, not whether trading is legal.

Kalshi — Available, dispute pending. Its welcome offer (Trade $25 and Get $25!, code RANKPREDICTS) is valid in Massachusetts. Open Kalshi (opens in a new tab). KalshiEX LLC has been a CFTC-designated contract market since November 2020 (CFTC release 8302-20 (opens in a new tab)).

Polymarket US — Available, dispute pending. Polymarket sued the Massachusetts Attorney General on February 9, 2026. Its welcome offer (Deposit $10 get a $25 Trading Bonus!) is valid here. Open Polymarket US (opens in a new tab). Polymarket US runs through QCX LLC, a CFTC-designated contract market (CFTC listing (opens in a new tab)).

ProphetX — Available, dispute pending. Its welcome offer (Trade $50, Earn $75!) is valid here. Open ProphetX (opens in a new tab). A sports-first exchange, designated a contract market by the CFTC in June 2026, that also certified election contracts with the CFTC on September 2, 2026 (CFTC product filings (opens in a new tab)).

OG (by Crypto.com) — Sports contracts not offered in Massachusetts, and OG's welcome offer is not valid here.

Novig — Available, dispute pending. Its welcome offer (Deposit $10 Get $50 in Trade Credits!) is valid here. Open Novig (opens in a new tab). Novig (Ludlow Exchange, LLC) has been a CFTC-designated contract market since June 16, 2026 (CFTC listing (opens in a new tab)); its minimum age is 21.

Rebet — Its sweepstakes rules include Massachusetts, and its welcome offer (Get a 100% purchase match up to $100!) is valid here. Rebet is a sweepstakes app, not a CFTC-regulated exchange (Rebet sweepstakes rules (opens in a new tab)).

Catie has funded and traded on all of these platforms herself. Offers are from the partner terms of October 1, 2026; terms apply.

Eligibility Checklist for Massachusetts Residents

  • Age: Kalshi's and Polymarket US's minimum age is 18; ProphetX's is 18, or the local age of majority if higher; Novig's is 21. OG's sign-up screen says 18. We recommend 21+.
  • Expect identity checks (name, date of birth, address and a government ID) under KYC rules.
  • Platforms check where you are physically located when you trade, not only your home address.

Deposit, Withdrawal & Tax Notes for Massachusetts

  • Deposits: $10 minimum on Kalshi (bank transfer free; debit card may carry a 2% fee) and ProphetX; Polymarket US's docs list no deposit fee; Novig charges 3% on card and Apple Pay deposits, bank transfers free. Source: each operator's help center (checked October 3, 2026).
  • Taxes: the IRS↗ (opens in a new tab) has not issued guidance on event contracts; tax professionals argue for gambling income, capital gains or Section 1256 (60/40) treatment. State income tax can apply to gains. Consult a tax professional.

Local Sports Angle: For Boston Fans

If you are a Massachusetts resident and want to trade event contracts on the Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins or Revolution, the Suffolk court order against Kalshi's sports contracts has been paused since February 17, 2026 while the state's highest court decides the appeal, so the status is Available, dispute pending and can change when that court rules. We update this page when the court rules.

What could change the status

Dates we are watching: Nevada's responses to the Robinhood and Crypto.com Supreme Court petitions are now due November 13 and 16, 2026 (both extended in October), and Kalshi's response to New Jersey's petition is due November 9, 2026 (deadlines can be extended); the earliest the Supreme Court could act on the petitions is a conference in December 2026 or January 2027 (our estimate, not a scheduled date); Kalshi asked the full Sixth Circuit to rehear the case on October 9, 2026, and the court has not ruled; the CFTC's October 9, 2026 interim final rule takes effect only when it is published in the Federal Register, which had not happened as of October 14, 2026; the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has not yet ruled on the appeal (No. SJC-13906). We re-check this page when any of these happen and log the change above.

Sources

Prediction markets in other states

§ References & Sources

  1. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) (opens in a new tab)— U.S. federal regulator
  2. CFTC Designated Contract Markets list (opens in a new tab)— CFTC
  3. 26 U.S. Code § 1256 — Section 1256 contracts marked to market (opens in a new tab)— Cornell Law / U.S. Code
  4. IRS Form 6781 — Gains and Losses From Section 1256 Contracts (opens in a new tab)— Internal Revenue Service
  5. National Council on Problem Gambling — 1-800-GAMBLER (opens in a new tab)— NCPG

Frequently asked questions

Are prediction markets legal in Massachusetts?

We don't give legal verdicts. Status as of October 3, 2026, with court dates re-checked October 14, 2026: Kalshi, Polymarket US, ProphetX and Novig: Available, dispute pending; OG: sports contracts not offered in Massachusetts. A Massachusetts judge ordered Kalshi to stop sports contracts in January 2026, but an appeals judge paused that order on February 17, 2026 while the state's highest court decides Kalshi's appeal (argued May 4, 2026); Polymarket has also sued the state. Nationally, federal appeals courts are split on sports event contracts, all at the preliminary-injunction stage, and three Supreme Court petitions are pending; none has been granted.

Can I use Kalshi in Massachusetts?

Status as of October 3, 2026: Available, dispute pending. A Massachusetts Superior Court preliminary injunction against Kalshi's sports contracts was put in place on February 6, 2026, but an appeals judge paused it on February 17, 2026, and Kalshi's appeal is pending in the Supreme Judicial Court (argued May 4, 2026; no ruling found as of October 14, 2026). Kalshi's welcome offer is valid for Massachusetts residents. Kalshi's minimum age is 18; we recommend 21+.

Are Kalshi's sports contracts blocked by court order in Massachusetts?

No. As of October 14, 2026, Kalshi's sports contracts are blocked by court order in three states: Nevada, Michigan and Washington. In Massachusetts a court order was paused on February 17, 2026 while the state's highest court decides the appeal, so Kalshi's status there is Available, dispute pending.

What has Massachusetts done about prediction markets?

A Massachusetts judge ordered Kalshi to stop sports contracts in January 2026, but an appeals judge paused that order on February 17, 2026 while the state's highest court decides Kalshi's appeal (argued May 4, 2026); Polymarket has also sued the state. Most recent Massachusetts entries in our timeline: May 4, 2026: Supreme Judicial Court hears Kalshi's appeal; April 24, 2026: the CFTC and 38 attorneys general file opposing briefs; February 17, 2026: the order against Kalshi is paused. Each entry above links to its source.

How many states backed Massachusetts at the Supreme Judicial Court?

A brief filed on April 24, 2026 was signed by 38 attorneys general: 37 states and the District of Columbia. The CFTC filed a brief the same day supporting Kalshi's position that federal law preempts state law.

What could change the status in Massachusetts?

Dates we are watching: Nevada's responses to the Robinhood and Crypto.com Supreme Court petitions are now due November 13 and 16, 2026 (both extended in October), and Kalshi's response to New Jersey's petition is due November 9, 2026 (deadlines can be extended); the earliest the Supreme Court could act on the petitions is a conference in December 2026 or January 2027 (our estimate, not a scheduled date); Kalshi asked the full Sixth Circuit to rehear the case on October 9, 2026, and the court has not ruled; the CFTC's October 9, 2026 interim final rule takes effect only when it is published in the Federal Register, which had not happened as of October 14, 2026; the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has not yet ruled on the appeal (No. SJC-13906). We re-check this page when any of these happen and log the change above.

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