Is Kalshi legal in Ohio? The Sixth Circuit ruling and the cease-and-desist deadline (2026)
The Sixth Circuit ruled in September 2026 that Ohio can enforce its gambling laws against Kalshi’s sports contracts, and the state ordered ten operators to stop by 16 October. Most did not. Where things stand for Ohio traders.
In this article
Kalshi is still available in Ohio for now, but its sports contracts are on the thinnest legal ice of any state. On 25 September 2026 the Sixth Circuit ruled that Ohio can enforce its gambling laws against them, and the Ohio Casino Control Commission ordered ten prediction market operators to stop offering sports contracts by 16 October. Most kept operating past the deadline, and the state is expected to sue.
As of 21 October 2026. The app's location check shows what you can trade.
Kalshi in Ohio at a glance
| Status in Ohio | |
|---|---|
| Kalshi | Available as of the latest reports; sports contracts under a state cease-and-desist |
| Federal appeals court | Sixth Circuit ruled for Ohio (25 September 2026) |
| State action | Cease-and-desist notices to ten operators; a proposed $5 million fine against Kalshi |
| Online sportsbooks | Legal and licensed since 2023, 21+ |
The Sixth Circuit ruling
The court held that Kalshi's sports contracts are not swaps under federal commodities law, and that even if they were, federal law would not override Ohio's gambling laws. The ruling covers Ohio and Tennessee. It came at the preliminary-injunction stage: it refused to shield Kalshi while the case continues and sent it back to the district court, but it did not itself order Kalshi out of Ohio.
It deepened a split among appeals courts (the Third Circuit sided with Kalshi; the Ninth sided with Nevada), which the Supreme Court is being asked to resolve (the NFL's Supreme Court brief).
What Ohio has done since
- 2 October: the Casino Control Commission sent cease-and-desist notices to ten operators, giving them until 16 October to stop offering sports contracts.
- 16 October: the deadline passed with most operators still live (news: Ohio's deadline passes), and Polymarket US sued the state in federal court (news: Polymarket sues Ohio).
- 20 October: the commission warned licensed sportsbooks and suppliers that working with prediction markets could affect their licences, with a 30 October deadline.
- Next: Attorney General Andy Wilson is expected to file suits; Governor Mike DeWine has called Kalshi's sports contracts illegal gambling. A $5 million fine against Kalshi proposed in June is pending.
What Ohioans can trade
- Politics: two closely watched races are on Ohio's ballot (Ohio governor odds; Ohio Senate).
- Economics, weather and culture, which are not targeted by the cease-and-desist.
- Sports, while platforms keep them live, with a real risk of a sudden block. Licensed Ohio sportsbooks are the state-approved alternative.
Is Kalshi legal in Ohio? Frequently asked questions
Is Kalshi legal in Ohio?
Kalshi still operates in Ohio, but the Sixth Circuit ruled in September 2026 that Ohio can enforce its gambling laws against its sports contracts, and the state has ordered operators to stop offering them.
What did the Sixth Circuit rule about Kalshi?
That its sports contracts are not federal swaps and that federal law would not override Ohio's gambling laws even if they were.
Did Kalshi stop offering sports in Ohio?
As of the 16 October deadline, most operators that received notices kept their sports contracts live; the state is expected to sue.
Can I bet on sports legally in Ohio?
Yes, through licensed sportsbooks, for adults 21 and over.
Is Tennessee affected too?
Yes. The Sixth Circuit ruling covered Tennessee's case as well.
