TLDR
- Google banned prediction market ads in Ohio effective June 2, 2026
- The ban updates a policy launched in January 2026 that allowed such ads across the US
- Ohio and Nevada are now both excluded from prediction market advertising on Google
- A federal court earlier rejected Kalshi’s bid to block Ohio regulators from enforcement
- Ohio fined Kalshi $5 million for operating without a state gambling license
Google has confirmed it will no longer allow prediction market advertising in Ohio through its Google Ads platform. The restriction took effect on June 2, 2026, and updates a policy the company introduced just five months ago.
When Google launched its prediction market advertising policy in January 2026, it opened the door for platforms offering event contracts to run ads across the United States. Ohio and Nevada were excluded from the start. The June update makes that Ohio exclusion a permanent fixture of the policy.
Google’s Advertising Policy Help Center states: “Advertising of prediction markets and related products in Ohio is prohibited effective June 2, 2026.” The company gave no explanation for the move.
Ohio’s Fight With Prediction Market Platforms
Ohio has been in a legal dispute with prediction market platforms for much of 2026. The state argues that event contracts tied to sports outcomes are a form of unlicensed gambling under Ohio law.
Kalshi, one of the leading CFTC-regulated prediction market exchanges, tried to stop Ohio regulators from taking enforcement action. The company argued its contracts fall under federal jurisdiction through the Commodity Exchange Act.
A federal court in Ohio rejected that argument. Chief Judge Sarah Morrison ruled that Kalshi had not demonstrated its contracts were fully covered by CFTC authority, meaning Ohio could continue its enforcement efforts.
The court also noted that the CFTC’s own inaction weakened Kalshi’s case. Kalshi has said it plans to appeal the ruling.
The $5 Million Fine
Weeks after the court ruling, Ohio regulators took further action. The Ohio Casino Control Commission fined Kalshi $5 million for operating without a state gambling license.
The fine came from the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the state attorney general, both of whom were named in Kalshi’s failed injunction attempt.
Ohio’s position is that federal regulation of these contracts does not remove state authority over gambling-related activity. The court agreed that the Commodity Exchange Act does not clearly override state gambling laws.
Nevada Also Off-Limits
Nevada has been excluded from Google’s prediction market ad policy since it launched. The state’s Gaming Control Board enforces strict licensing rules, and no prediction market platform has received approval to operate there.
That makes Ohio and Nevada the two states where prediction market companies cannot advertise through Google, at least for now.
Prediction markets are already treated as a restricted advertising category by Google. The company defines them as platforms providing access to exchange-listed event contracts tied to economics, sports, or current events.
Kalshi’s appeal is still pending. The outcome could affect how other states approach regulation of CFTC-registered prediction market platforms going forward.
