The NCAA wrote to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Wednesday, urging an immediate halt to prediction markets that trade on college sports. President Charlie Baker warned that unchecked growth threatens student‑athletes and the integrity of competition, and asked the agency to suspend such markets until stronger safeguards are in place.

Baker listed the missing protections: minimum age limits, bans on advertising to minors, robust integrity monitoring, mandatory involvement of the NCAA, limits on prop bets, and resources for harm reduction and anti‑harassment. He cited Kalshi’s partnership with IC360, noting that most platforms lack geolocation tracking and required reporting of integrity alerts to peers.

Prediction markets have exploded over the past year, reaching users in all 50 states at age 18, while traditional sportsbooks operate in only 39 states plus D.C. The NFL has voiced congressional concerns, whereas the NHL and UFC have signed deals with Kalshi and Polymarket. Regulators’ next move will shape how college betting evolves.