NBA, PGA and NCAA push for higher age minimum for sports prediction markets
The NBA, PGA Tour, and NCAA are urging federal regulators to raise the minimum age for participating in sports prediction markets from 18 to 21, citing risks to younger individuals. These organizations argue that the current age disparity with regulated sportsbooks could harm college and high school students. Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket operate under different rules than traditional sportsbooks and maintain they are not gambling platforms.
- ▪The NBA, PGA Tour, and NCAA have called on the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to raise the minimum age for sports prediction markets from 18 to 21.
- ▪While most state-regulated sportsbooks require users to be 21, prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket allow users as young as 18.
- ▪The NCAA specifically requested a ban on college sports betting for those under 21, warning of potential harm to student well-being and collegiate sports integrity.
- ▪The NBA argued that financial risks in prediction markets are especially acute for younger individuals and suggested restricting advertising if the age limit is not raised.
- ▪Prediction markets claim they are not gambling platforms because they facilitate peer-to-peer trading with a commission, unlike sportsbooks that take the opposite side of bets.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
U.S. newsNBA, PGA and NCAA push for higher age minimum for sports prediction marketsThe major sports organizations cited the potential risks to young bettors in calling for the platforms' minimum age to be raised from 18 to 21 years old. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00As prediction markets are gaining popularity, the NBA, PGA TOUR, and NCAA want higher age requirements for sports betting. Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 1, 2026, 4:15 PM EDTBy Suzy KhimmMajor sports organizations — the NBA, PGA Tour and NCAA — are pushing the federal government to require prediction markets to raise their minimum age for sports betting from 18 to 21 years old.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The associations…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at NBC News — Tech.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from NBC News — Tech
