CFTC and NHL Introduce New Safeguards for Prediction Markets

The NHL and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have officially agreed on a new framework designed to protect the integrity and transparency of prediction markets tied to professional hockey. The agreement comes as sports based prediction markets continue to gain momentum across the U.S., drawing increasing attention from regulators, leagues, and operators alike.

Under the new memorandum of understanding (MOU), both sides will coordinate more closely on monitoring activity tied to NHL related event contracts traded on federally regulated exchanges.

Building a Direct Line Between Sports and Regulators

The agreement establishes formal communication channels between the NHL and the CFTC, allowing both parties to share confidential information and collaborate on integrity, related concerns. This includes monitoring for suspicious activity, insider trading risks, fraud, and potential manipulation tied to prediction market products involving professional hockey.

CFTC Chairman Michael Selig described the move as another step toward protecting both sports integrity and participants in regulated prediction markets. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also emphasized that maintaining trust and transparency remains central to the league’s long term approach.

Prediction Markets Continue Moving Into the Mainstream

The NHL has already positioned itself as one of the most active major sports leagues in the prediction markets space. Last year, the league became the first major North American sports organization to officially partner with platforms including Kalshi and Polymarket, integrating prediction market relationships directly into its broader commercial strategy.

As event based trading products become more popular, leagues are increasingly looking for ways to stay involved rather than remain outside the process. The latest agreement reflects that shift, focusing less on resisting prediction markets and more on building oversight structures around them.

A Growing Focus on Transparency and Oversight

The NHL/CFTC agreement follows a similar deal signed earlier this year between the CFTC and Major League Baseball, signaling a wider push toward standardized oversight across professional sports. Federal regulators have made it increasingly clear that integrity protections will be a major priority as prediction markets continue to scale.

That includes concerns around insider information, unusual trading activity, and maintaining confidence in both the underlying sports product and the markets built around it. For leagues, closer coordination with regulators also helps reduce the risk of reputational damage as prediction markets expand into more mainstream audiences.

The Line Between Betting and Financial Markets Keeps Blurring

The agreement also highlights the growing connection between traditional sports betting and federally regulated event contracts.

While prediction market operators say their products fall under financial regulation rather than gambling law, many of the integrity concerns remain similar, including match manipulation, insider activity, and unusual wagering patterns. That overlap is pushing leagues, regulators, and operators into closer alignment as the sector evolves.

What Comes Next

The NHL and CFTC are expected to continue developing monitoring and information sharing procedures as prediction markets tied to sports keep expanding.

For the NHL, the agreement reinforces its position as one of the first major leagues actively embracing regulated prediction markets while simultaneously pushing for stronger safeguards around integrity and transparency. As more leagues enter the space, similar agreements could quickly become the industry standard.

Stay tuned to UMG Gaming for more updates on prediction markets, sports regulation, and the evolving intersection of gaming and financial trading.