Google bans prediction market ads in Ohio

Google updated its U.S. advertising policy on June 2, 2026 to prohibit advertising of prediction market contracts and related products in Ohio. The company added Ohio to a list of jurisdictions where such ads are not allowed; Nevada was already on that list.

The policy update states: “advertisement of prediction markets contracts and related products in Ohio is prohibited effective June 2, 2026.” It requires advertisers to hold applicable local financial, commodity or gaming licenses and to complete Google’s certification process where advertising is permitted. Google’s rules also exclude ads for fixed-return contracts, online gambling and similar products from allowed categories.

In January, Google had begun permitting prediction-market advertising across most U.S. states under strict conditions while maintaining a ban in Nevada. The company cited “the inherent complexities, speculative nature, and unique regulatory classification” of prediction contracts in its earlier guidance.

Prediction market operators argue their platforms are exchanges regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and that many contracts are swaps. State regulators and attorneys general have challenged that view and issued enforcement actions against platforms, especially for contracts tied to sports outcomes.

Ohio regulators issued cease-and-desist letters in April 2025 to Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com, treating some sports-event contracts as illegal gambling. Kalshi sued the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the state attorney general’s office to block enforcement; a federal judge denied a preliminary injunction request. Ohio attorneys argued in court that treating sports-event contracts as federally regulated swaps would weaken parts of the Commodity Exchange Act.

The broader legal picture includes roughly 18 federal and state lawsuits involving Kalshi, a CFTC lawsuit against seven states that sought to shut down platforms, and recent actions such as the CFTC’s May suit against Rhode Island and Minnesota’s May law banning prediction markets where sports betting is not legal.

The Google ban removes a channel for prediction market providers to advertise to Ohio users through Google’s platforms. Google did not provide further comment beyond the policy notice. Ohio regulators and the state attorney general continue to defend enforcement actions in court while platforms and industry groups press their own legal challenges.