Nevada Resorts Association Join Kalshi Fight as Court Backs Their Role
A federal judge just let the Nevada Resort Association jump into the legal brawl between Kalshi and state gaming regulators, as reported by law expert Daniel Wallach.
NRA Gets a Seat at the Table
U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon gave the Nevada Resort Association (NRA) the green light to intervene in Kalshi’s lawsuit against the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). Gordon had earlier promised a quick decision, setting a tight schedule for legal briefs, and he delivered.
The NRA, representing 70 casino resorts, filed to join the case on May 14, arguing their industry’s future is at stake. The court agreed, noting the request came just 47 days after Kalshi’s March 28 complaint, before any deep evidence or rulings.
The NRA’s worried Kalshi’s prediction markets, which let users bet on sports and election outcomes, are dodging Nevada’s strict gaming rules. Kalshi’s contracts look like sports bets but skip state taxes and oversight, the NRA says.
They point to Kalshi’s social media ads, like “first nationwide legal sports betting platform,” as proof it’s competing directly with licensed sportsbook. The NRA also flags Kalshi’s lack of underage gambling or addiction safeguards, a sore spot for Nevada’s tightly regulated industry.
Kalshi’s Side of the Story
Kalshi insists it’s not running a sportsbook. Its CEO, Tarek Mansour, said, “State law doesn’t really apply.” Kalshi argues its event contracts are financial instruments under the Commodity Exchange Act, giving the CFTC sole authority.
After the NGCB issued a cease-and-desist order on March 4, demanding Kalshi stop offering sports and election contracts by March 14, Kalshi sued, claiming Nevada’s rules can’t override federal law.
Gordon already sided with Kalshi twice, granting a temporary restraining order on April 8 and a preliminary injunction on April 9, blocking NGCB enforcemen.
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