MGCB breaks up with NCPG over Kalshi admittance

• The MGCB has become the first state gaming regulator to walk away from the NCPG, citing Kalshi’s membership
• The regulator accused Kalshi of "bulldozing" state gaming laws and consumer protections and the NCPG of undermining efforts to keep gamblers safe
• MGCB’s Executive Director, Henry Williams, penned a strong letter of disapproval outlining the issues with Kalshi’s membership

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has quit the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) over the recent addition of Kalshi, a prediction market platform, which has vowed to support efforts to end problem gambling while not officially maintaining that its own products were not, in fact, gambling.

MGCB won’t be part of the NCPG while Kalshi is there

The MGCB has, as a result, become the first member to walk away from the NCPG over what it believes is a mismatch between the stated goal and one of its newest members. In a statement, the watchdog’s Executive Director, Henry Williams, has issued a strong disapproval of Kalshi’s membership, and said:

"As you know, until Michigan obtained a temporary restraining order against Kalshi on June 29, 2026, Kalshi was (and may still be) actively involved in offering unlicensed sports gambling in Michigan. Kalshi is also currently still offering unlicensed sports gambling in numerous other states. Kalshi is involved in countless lawsuits against numerous states across the country."

Williams criticized Kalshi’s business strategy, describing it as an attempt to bulldoze existing gambling regulations and consumer-protection safeguards. The watchdog also pointed out that the state of Michigan and others are already litigating against the platform over its alleged infringements and that by allowing it in the NCPG, the organization was undermining state enforcement actions.

Williams outright disagreed with Kalshi’s self-described product offer, insisting that sporting event contracts were, in the end, just a form of sports betting.

"Moreover, I am deeply concerned that Kalshi’s attempts to distinguish sporting event contracts from other forms of sports betting by claiming that its offerings are akin to "investment" or "insurance" products directly undermine a foundational message of responsible gaming: that gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only," he explained.

Because of the above, Williams simply stated that continuing MGCB’s membership in the NCPG was inconsistent with the regulator’s stated mission. The withdrawal is abrupt and definitive, as the MGCB is also withdrawing support for the upcoming NCPG conference on safer gambling.

"Finally, please note the MGCB is cancelling its paid sponsorship for the conference scheduled at the end of July. We will follow up separately to address any steps necessary to ensure all references to MGCB sponsorship are removed," he wrapped up.

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