As Betting Surges, NH Braces for Fallout from Prediction Markets' Legal Siege

19 October 2026

New Hampshire has been reaping millions from sports wagering since legalizing in 2019, but the state's sweetheart deal with DraftKings is now pitting it against prediction market operators and major sports leagues. At stake is a growing but risky revenue stream, and the integrity of games that risk going the way of historic sports-betting scandals.

The Sportsbook Honey Pot

For Granite State taxpayers, the DraftKings deal has generated close to $13 million in state general fund revenue to date. And this is a best-case scenario: no bricks-and-mortar sportsbook operators to cut into revenues. However, a new class of operator is offering financial wagers on sports that could undercut the state's advantages.

"The concern is that prediction markets are pretty close to sports betting operations," said Jeff Shirley, a gaming lawyer with the Cleveland law firm Kemp Smith. Shirley was the general counsel of New Hampshire Lottery at the time the state's sports wagering law was passed. "It's a different type of wagering, contracts for difference, but it's regulated by the SEC, not the state."

In fact, states have been busy moving to clamp down hard. Michigan, Washington, Arizona and Connecticut all have active legal battles with Kalshi and Polymarket. Arizona has filed charges against Kalshi for offering illegal sports wagers. Now, New Hampshire seems ready to follow their lead.

More on this is available via www.bet-nh.com.

According to a Facebook post by Goff, New Hampshire lawmakers are close to approving legislation that would impede prediction markets' operations in the state, claiming the platforms attract gambling-related issues. In the discussion of current law, Goff cited problems with teenagers: too many minors have access to financial markets via parent accounts, he claimed. "If this bill doesn't pass, we're in trouble. We have to stop them. DraftKings seems to be doing an adequate job, but we need stronger laws. That's what we're asking for," he remarked. Goff estimated these problems could persist through 2027, despite potential legislative action.

DraftKings said little in direct response to the prediction markets, which have been praised by several well-known sports figures for their novel approach. The company declined opportunities for interviews, but Goff's Facebook post represented a strong opposition to the companies. "We do allow financial products, but have strict age verification. We see ourselves as a sports company," he explained.