TLDR
- The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) named Kalshi as the first member of its new Financial Services & Trading group.
- Minnesota Senator John Marty is asking NCPG to end what he calls an “unholy alliance” with Kalshi.
- The Michigan Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling have both cut ties with NCPG.
- Kalshi’s $2 million donation is far more than NCPG’s usual $15,000 to $100,000 membership fees, raising questions about how the money will be used.
- NCPG says prediction markets are “functionally gambling” and defends its choice to work with Kalshi.
A group meant to help people with gambling problems is facing pushback over its relationship with a prediction market company.
The National Council on Problem Gambling added Kalshi as the first member of a new category called the Financial Services & Trading vertical. That happened almost three months ago. Since then, criticism has grown from state affiliates, a lawmaker, and former partners.
A Lawmaker Speaks Out
Minnesota State Senator John Marty sent a letter to NCPG executive director Heather Maurer on July 28. He asked her to end the group’s relationship with Kalshi.
Marty called the partnership an “unholy alliance.” He said it goes against NCPG’s mission to reduce gambling harm.
Marty said he understands NCPG needs funding from the gambling industry. But he said Kalshi is different because it operates without the same oversight as licensed gambling companies.
He also pointed to Michigan’s decision to leave NCPG. Michigan Gaming Control Board executive director Henry Williams sent his own letter in July. He said Kalshi is trying to change the gambling industry by avoiding rules that protect consumers.
States Question the Money
Josh Ercole leads Pennsylvania’s Council on Compulsive Gambling, which is still an NCPG affiliate. He said the Kalshi deal has created a lot of discussion.
Ercole said people are asking what the $2 million donation is actually for. He noted that NCPG has not yet secured federal funding, something the group has worked toward for years.
Kalshi’s contribution is spread over two years. That amount is much higher than NCPG’s normal fees, which range from $15,000 to $100,000 a year for top-level members.
The Nevada Council on Problem Gambling sent its own letter to Maurer in May. The letter raised concerns about neutrality and consumer protection.
Nevada did not leave NCPG right away. But mentions of the partnership between the two groups have since disappeared from both websites.
NVCPG executive director Trey Delap later confirmed to Gambling Insider that Nevada is no longer an NCPG affiliate.
There are other problems too. NCPG has changed its national helpline number several times in recent years.
The group now promotes 1-800-MY-RESET. This followed a legal dispute with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey over the older 1-800-GAMBLER number.
Ercole said many states still use different helpline numbers. He said this creates confusing messaging when groups appear at the same events.
Despite the concerns, Ercole said his Pennsylvania group has no plans to leave NCPG right now.
NCPG Responds to Criticism
Maurer defended the Kalshi partnership in a statement to Gambling Insider. She said prediction markets are the latest form of gambling-like platforms and called them “functionally gambling.”
She said NCPG must adapt as the gambling landscape changes. She added that anyone who profits from gambling has a responsibility to help reduce harm, including prediction market companies.
Maurer said NCPG takes member concerns seriously. But she said the group’s first job is helping people who are already struggling.
She said the national helpline is already getting calls from people affected by prediction markets. NCPG plans to keep supporting those callers while the broader debate continues.
