Kalshi Ordered to Block Washington Bets Days After CFTC Backed It
A King County Superior Court judge issued a final order forcing Kalshi to stop most operations in Washington, finding it likely violated the state Gambling Act and Consumer Protection Act by running an illegal gambling business. The order bars Kalshi from offering or facilitating wagers on sports, elections, politics, entertainment, culture, tech, science, and “mentions,” and requires stronger geofencing by early September. It also prohibits Washington advertising tied to those contracts, calling the marketing unfair and deceptive. The state says Kalshi promoted bets on sports, elections, natural disasters, and war-related events, showing it was working around state law. The ruling comes amid a broader fight between state regulators and the CFTC over whether event contracts are federally regulated derivatives or state-law gambling. Kalshi has sued multiple states over similar bans, but has had mixed results in court.
