Is Kalshi legal in Ohio?

How Kalshi operates in Ohio

Kalshi is a Designated Contract Market regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) — the same federal category as major futures exchanges. Kalshi's position is that this federal framework governs its event contracts in Ohio. Ohio authorities or courts have disputed that for sports event contracts, and the question has not been finally decided.

Who can trade in Ohio

To open an account from Ohio you must be 18 or older (21+ in some jurisdictions), be a US resident, and complete Kalshi's identity verification (legal name, date of birth, address, and SSN). Verification is usually instant. Once you confirm your location, the app shows exactly which markets you can trade in Ohio.

What you can trade

Kalshi's core menu — politics, economics, climate, inflation, and culture markets — is broadly available in Ohio. Some sports-related contract categories have been challenged by state regulators and may be limited; Kalshi displays the current status for Ohio at sign-up. For the full national picture, see where Kalshi is legal state by state and our guide to whether Kalshi is legal.

How to sign up from Ohio

Have your driver's license or passport ready plus a US bank account for ACH. The whole flow takes about ten minutes, and new traders trade $25 and get $25! with bonus code COLLEGEPM.

Sign up on Kalshi → (opens in a new tab)

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

What changed in Ohio

Court rulings, regulator actions and bills that affect prediction markets in Ohio. Newest first. Checked against sources on October 1, 2026. This is a record of public events, not legal advice.

1. September 25, 2026

   Sixth Circuit rules against Kalshi in Ohio and Tennessee appeals

   The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that Kalshi had not shown its sports event contracts are "swaps" and that federal commodities law does not preempt Ohio or Tennessee gambling laws. It upheld the Ohio denial of an injunction and overturned the injunction Kalshi had won in Tennessee, sending both cases back to the district courts.

   Source: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (opinion, Nos. 26-3196/26-5235) (opens in a new tab)

2. June 12, 2026

   California Attorney General joins multistate brief against Kalshi

   Attorney General Rob Bonta joined 37 other attorneys general in a Sixth Circuit brief supporting Ohio's authority to enforce its gambling laws against Kalshi. His office said it was the seventh time California had joined such multistate briefs.

   Source: California Attorney General (opens in a new tab)

3. May 12, 2026

   CFTC files brief backing Kalshi in Sixth Circuit appeal

   The CFTC filed an amicus brief in the Sixth Circuit in Kalshi's Ohio appeal, arguing that the agency has exclusive jurisdiction over prediction markets.

   Source: CFTC press release 9230-26 (opens in a new tab)

4. April 14, 2026

   Ohio regulator issues notice of intent to fine Kalshi $5 million

   The Ohio Casino Control Commission issued a notice of intent to impose a $5 million penalty on Kalshi for offering what it considers unlicensed sports betting in the state.

   Source: Sports Betting Dime (opens in a new tab)

5. March 9, 2026

   Federal judge in Ohio denies Kalshi injunction

   U.S. District Judge Sarah Morrison ruled that Kalshi's sports event contracts are not swaps under federal law and denied its request for an injunction against the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The Sixth Circuit upheld the ruling in September 2026.

   Source: NBC News (opens in a new tab)

6. October 7, 2025

   Kalshi sues Ohio regulators and attorney general

   Kalshi filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of Ohio claiming federal law preempts Ohio gaming regulation of its event contracts. The filing date is given in a California Attorney General release describing the case.

   Source: California Attorney General (case summary) (opens in a new tab)

7. April 1, 2025

   Ohio regulator sends cease-and-desist notices to Kalshi, Robinhood, Crypto.com

   The Ohio Casino Control Commission announced it had ordered the three companies to stop offering sports event contracts in the state. The date shown is the report date.

   Source: Sports Betting Dime (opens in a new tab)

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kalshi legal in Ohio?

Kalshi accepts eligible residents of Ohio and operates under federal CFTC oversight as a Designated Contract Market. Ohio's regulator sent Kalshi a cease-and-desist notice in April 2025 and a $5 million fine notice in April 2026; on September 25, 2026 the Sixth Circuit held that federal law does not preempt Ohio's gambling laws for Kalshi's sports event contracts. Courts have not finally decided whether state gambling law applies to sports event contracts, so what you can trade in Ohio may change. This is not legal advice.

Do I have to be 18 to trade on Kalshi in Ohio?

Yes. You must be 18 or older (21+ in some jurisdictions) and pass Kalshi's KYC identity verification. Event contracts are speculative and can result in loss of the funds you commit.

Can I trade sports markets on Kalshi in Ohio?

Sports event contracts are the disputed category in Ohio. Ohio's regulator sent Kalshi a cease-and-desist notice in April 2025 and a $5 million fine notice in April 2026; on September 25, 2026 the Sixth Circuit held that federal law does not preempt Ohio's gambling laws for Kalshi's sports event contracts. The Kalshi app shows which markets are open in Ohio once you verify your location.

How do I get the Kalshi bonus in Ohio?

New traders in Ohio trade $25 and get $25! when they sign up through our link and enter bonus code COLLEGEPM at registration. Terms are set by Kalshi and may change.