The NBA is putting a formal integrity structure around prediction markets, announcing agreements with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Kalshi and Polymarket on Oct. 26, 2026. The league’s new framework is built around oversight, limits on available markets and direct information-sharing when suspicious trading surfaces.
League sets integrity rules for NBA-related markets
Kalshi and Polymarket have been named the NBA’s Preferred Prediction Market Exchanges, giving the league two designated operators as the category continues to develop nationally. Their agreements include restrictions intended to keep NBA event contracts from creating avoidable integrity issues around teams, players and games.
- NBA and team personnel will be barred from trading NBA event contracts.
- Only approved types of NBA-related markets will be permitted.
- The league and platforms will share information tied to investigations and potentially suspicious trading activity.
- Every Authorized Prediction Market Operator will be subject to prediction-market-specific integrity duties.
- Market limitations will track the NBA’s updated sports-betting restrictions.
Scott Kaufman-Ross, the NBA’s Head of Media Distribution & Partnerships, said protecting the game’s integrity remains the league’s primary concern. He said the NBA wants to work with operators and regulators as prediction markets grow, creating safeguards while opening another avenue for fan engagement.
CFTC memorandum creates information-sharing channel
The NBA also entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the CFTC, establishing cooperation and information exchange around NBA prediction markets. The arrangement is intended to place league-related markets under regulatory scrutiny while giving both sides a clearer route to address integrity concerns.
The memorandum reflects a joint commitment to appropriate regulatory oversight and protections for NBA markets, adding a federal-regulatory component to the league’s operator partnerships.
Kalshi and Polymarket receive data, marketing and IP rights
As preferred exchanges, Kalshi and Polymarket will receive rights to use NBA intellectual property along with marketing rights and promotional opportunities across U.S. media channels. Both platforms also will receive official NBA data through Sportradar, the league’s Official Data Distribution Partner, for the operation and settlement of authorized markets.
Kalshi’s Adam Barrick called the partnership a major step for the company, pointing to a shared focus on fan participation, innovation and consumer safety. He said Kalshi’s model is built around fair and transparent markets with nationwide consumer protections.
Polymarket’s Ari Borod said the NBA’s global reach makes the arrangement significant for the platform. He said the partnership is designed to bring users closer to basketball while the two sides work toward a transparent and secure prediction-market environment.
DraftKings deal expands as NBA eyes more partners
The NBA has also broadened its existing relationship with DraftKings to cover prediction markets and nationwide promotion. That move sits alongside the Kalshi and Polymarket arrangements rather than replacing them.
The league said it expects to extend prediction-market relationships with additional current official sports-betting partners, as well as other industry operators, in the coming weeks. Those future authorized operators will be required to meet the same enhanced integrity standards and market restrictions now being established across the NBA’s prediction-market framework.
