Google bans prediction-market ads in Michigan and New York

Google updated its Prediction Markets Policy to prohibit advertising for prediction-market contracts and related products in Michigan and New York, effective July 13, 2026. The change expands the company’s state-level ad restrictions to four states, joining Nevada and Ohio.

The updated policy says advertising is allowed only for operators that are federally regulated. Eligible advertisers must be authorized by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a Designated Contract Market or hold National Futures Association registration to provide access to products listed by an eligible DCM.

Google did not explain the reason for adding Michigan and New York. The changes follow recent court actions in both states involving the prediction-market platform Kalshi. In Michigan, Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina ordered Kalshi to stop offering sports event contracts to state residents on June 29. The court later extended its order and gave the exchange until Aug. 12 to geofence the state or face fines of $500,000 per day.

In New York, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres denied Kalshi’s request for a preliminary injunction on July 7, finding the company had not shown a likelihood of success on its argument that federal law preempts New York’s gambling statutes. That ruling allows the state to continue enforcing its gambling laws while the litigation proceeds.

Ohio was added to Google’s restricted list in June, and Nevada was placed on the list earlier in 2026. Regulators in those states have taken enforcement steps or questioned the legality of some prediction-market products. At least one state gambling regulator previously reported it did not request Google to block prediction-market ads. Google has not confirmed whether the state-by-state limits are tied to specific court rulings or regulatory actions.

The policy affects advertising only and does not change whether a prediction-market operator can offer contracts to residents of a given state. Advertisers that do not hold the required CFTC DCM authorization or the relevant NFA registration will be barred from promoting prediction-market contracts and related products to users in the excluded states, narrowing the channels available to platforms in Michigan and New York.

Prediction markets let participants buy and sell contracts that pay out based on the outcome of future events, including political contests and sports results. The CFTC oversees certain derivatives and futures markets, and operators that seek federal regulation typically pursue DCM designation or work with entities listed by a DCM.