Baltimore sues Kalshi and Polymarket, alleging illegal sports betting under consumer-protection law

Baltimore challenges prediction platforms

Mayor Brandon Scott and the Baltimore City Council filed suit Thursday against Kalshi and Polymarket, alleging that the platforms violated Baltimore’s Consumer Protection Ordinance, according to gamblerss.com.

The city’s claim centers on alleged illegal sports betting. It places both prediction-market platforms in a municipal consumer-protection dispute.

The gamblerss.com report was published Oct 12, 2026 at 5:54 PM ET. The available summary identifies the plaintiffs, defendants and ordinance but does not specify which contracts or platform activities the lawsuit challenges.

The allegations do not establish that either platform broke the law. The supplied material provides no court ruling, response from Kalshi or Polymarket, or details of the relief Baltimore is seeking.

What it means for prediction markets

• Consumer protection is the stated legal basis: Baltimore is challenging alleged sports-betting activity under its Consumer Protection Ordinance.
• The scope remains unclear: The available information does not identify affected contracts or establish any change to market availability.
• A filing is not an outcome: The lawsuit alone does not resolve the legality of either platform’s activities.