Key Bills, CFTC Deadline, and Prediction Market Cases Lead the Gambling Stories to Watch This Week

A busy week is ahead for the gambling industry, with multiple bills set for hearings or awaiting floor action, as the legal battle between state regulators and prediction market operators intensifies ahead of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)’s public comment deadline.

Here are the gambling stories to watch this week.

Legislation: Multiple Sweepstakes and Prediction Market Bills Under Consideration

Louisiana, Colorado, and Missouri Headline Confirmed Hearings

Several states have confirmed committee hearings this week:

• Louisiana (HB 883) – A sweepstakes casino ban bill is scheduled for its first Senate hearing on April 28, after passing in the House earlier this month. The bill directly targets dual-currency payment methods used by sweepstakes casinos.
• Colorado (SB 131, SB 163) – Two broad bills aiming to reshape the sports betting market in Colorado are set for Senate floor hearings on April 27. Last week, both advanced from committees, with lawmakers stripping a provision to ban prop bets from SB 131, citing fiscal concerns.
• Missouri (SB 3533) – After being withdrawn from debate last week, SB 3533, which would raise sports betting tax from 10% to 34%, is scheduled for another hearing on April 28.

What to Watch:

• Whether Louisiana advances HB 883.
• Whether the Colorado Senate passes SB 163 or SB 131. Whether the prop ban returns in any form
• If Missouri lawmakers discuss SB 3533 and whether the tax hike provision remains or is withdrawn.

Multiple Bills Await Floor Action

While not scheduled, several bills await floor action across multiple states:

• Tennessee – Just before the Tennessee legislative session ended on April 24, the legislature passed two separate bills: one targeting sweepstakes casinos and the other targeting insider trading in prediction markets. Both bills now await formal enrollment and certification by legislative leadership before heading to the governor’s desk.
• Minnesota – Last week, lawmakers advanced three bills to the Senate floor. SF 4474 directly targets sweepstakes casinos, while SF 4365 includes broader provisions alongside a sweepstakes ban. Furthermore, SF 4511 targets prediction markets and insider trading.
• Louisiana – HB 53, which would target sweepstakes casinos through racketeering provisions, is awaiting third reading in the Senate; The measure has already passed in the House.
• Iowa – SF 2289, a bill that would give state regulators expanded enforcement tools to target illegal gambling, has passed in both the Senate and the House. As amended in the House, it awaits concurrence in the Senate.
• Oklahoma – SB 1589, which amends the state’s gambling statute to explicitly include online casino-style offerings that utilize dual-currency payment methods, awaits House floor action. The measure passed in the Senate in early March.

What to Watch:

Whether the two Tennessee bills are formally enrolled and move to the governor’s desk. Elsewhere, whether any of the other bills get picked up by lawmakers and potentially passed or rejected.

Prediction Markets: Regulatory Deadlines and Court Hearings

CFTC Comment Deadline Approaches

Earlier this year, the CFTC sought public input on proposed rules for prediction markets, with the public comment deadline set at April 30. Notably, the comment page appears to be unavailable, with an error message.

Gambling Insider previously reviewed early comments, which were largely critical. Both institutional stakeholders and a growing wave of private citizens have raised concerns about gambling, manipulation, and the public interest.

What to Watch:

• Any CFTC updates on submission volume and tone
• Early signals on whether the CFTC will consider the comments or may define “event contracts.”

Utah Hearing and Broader Litigation Pipeline

Prediction market litigation intensified recently, with April 24 seeing multiple lawsuits filed and court decisions.

This week, developments in at least one case are expected. In the Kalshi vs. Utah suit, the state must file its memorandum in opposition to Kalshi’s renewed preliminary injunction motion by May 1.

Elsewhere, a decision could come at any moment in multiple cases, including in the Ninth Circuit in the consolidated case involving prediction market operators and the State of Nevada.

What to Watch:

• Utah’s filing and additional updates in the case.
• Any rulings or new lawsuits in the expanding legal battle between state regulators, prediction market operators, and the CFTC.

Polymarket Exchange Overhaul Goes Live

Prediction market platform Polymarket is set to roll out its exchange overhaul on April 28 at 11 am UTC.

The update includes a new trading system, updated order book mechanics, and a proprietary collateral token.

What to Watch:

• Whether the overhaul improves liquidity and user experience.
• Any technical issues emerging.

Other Industry Developments To Watch

Kentucky Derby Returns May 2

The Kentucky Derby, one of the largest betting events in the U.S., takes place on May 2.

What to Watch:

• Odds and handle at traditional betting platforms and prediction markets
• Operator promotions and cross-sell strategies
• Integrity messaging given increased scrutiny across wagering verticals

Resorts World NYC Launches Table Games

Resorts World New York City is set to launch over 200 live dealer tables on April 28. The event is significant as it marks the first full-scale casino in the New York City area.

What to Watch:

Operational rollout and player demand

Damon Jones Guilty Plea

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling case involving over 30 people, including reputed mobsters, former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups.

Jones is expected to plead guilty on April 28.

What to Watch:

• Whether Jones pleads guilty and enters into a plea deal
• Additional details emerging around the case