Prediction Market Update: Michigan June 2026
On June 17, 2026, the Honorable Judge Paul L. Maloney of the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Michigan denied preliminary injunctions requested by both Polymarket US and Robinhood Derivatives. Both companies sought to prevent Michigan from enforcing its gambling laws against their sports-based prediction contracts.
The Court held that sports prediction contracts are not “swaps” under the Dodd-Frank Act and that Michigan’s gambling laws are not preempted by federal law. Michigan’s ongoing enforcement action against KalshiEX, which prompted these lawsuits, continues.
The plaintiffs argued that (1) their products are financial derivatives regulated exclusively by the federal CFTC, not gambling; (2) The Dodd-Frank Act’s definition of “swap” covers sports prediction contracts; and (3) Federal law preempts Michigan from enforcing its gambling laws against them.
The court rejected all of these arguments, finding that Dodd-Frank was enacted to address institutional financial markets after the 2008 financial crisis — not consumer sports wagering — and that Michigan retains full authority to enforce its gambling laws.
It is likely that Polymarket US and Robinhood Derivatives will appeal the decisions to the 6th Circuit Court.
Upcoming Hearings:
- KalshiEX — Motion hearing to remand back to state court is set for June 25, 2026 at 1:30 PM, 174 Federal Building, Kalamazoo, MI before Judge Paul L. Maloney
- Coinbase — Motion hearing for preliminary injunction is set for June 24, 2026 at 10:30 AM before District Judge Shalina D. Kumar in Flint, MI
Sault Tribe and Kewadin Casinos Provide More Than $675,000 to Local Communities
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians recently announced its Spring 2026 community contributions, providing more than $675,000 in funding to support local projects and organizations throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The funding is distributed through the Tribe’s twice-yearly 2% program, which allocates a portion of video gaming revenue generated by Kewadin Casinos to local governments and community initiatives within the Tribe’s service area.
More than 30 communities and numerous organizations received funding this cycle. Recipients included local fire departments, schools, recreation programs, community food pantries, emergency services, and educational initiatives. Notable supported projects include upgrades to firefighting equipment, recreation center improvements, robotics education programs, school athletics, and community development efforts.
According to the Tribe, the program aims to strengthen local communities by supporting public safety, recreation, education, government services, and cultural enrichment throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The spring contributions continue the Tribe’s longstanding commitment to reinvesting gaming revenue into the communities served by Kewadin Casinos and the Sault Tribe.
NCLGS Panel to Examine Growing Threats from Illegal Gambling Market
The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (“NCLGS”) announced that its upcoming Summer Meeting will feature a panel discussion focused on the expanding illegal gambling marketplace and the challenges it presents to regulators, lawmakers, and licensed operators.
The session, titled “Illegal Gambling Home and Abroad,” will explore the rise of offshore online casinos, crypto-based prediction markets, sweepstakes platforms, unregulated skill games, and illegal gaming machines. Panelists are expected to discuss the impact these activities have on consumer protection, tax revenue, anti-money laundering compliance, and regulatory enforcement.
The discussion will be chaired by Oklahoma Representative Chris Kannady and will include regulators, gaming law experts, industry representatives, and consultants from across the gaming sector.
The panel is part of NCLGS’s 2026 Summer Meeting, scheduled for July 8-11 in San Diego, California. Additional sessions will cover topics including prediction markets, sports betting, tribal gaming, responsible gambling, gaming taxation, lotteries, and emerging forms of gaming regulation.
The event will conclude with a joint Legislator/Regulator Roundtable presented in partnership with the North American Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA), bringing together policymakers and regulators to discuss key issues shaping the future of the gaming industry.
Registration information can be found here.
Michigan iGaming and Online Sports Betting Revenue Increases in May
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) released its May 2026 internet gaming and sports betting revenue report, showing that Michigan operators generated a combined $382.5 million in gross receipts, a 3.1% increase from April.
iGaming continued to account for most of the revenue, generating $305.8 million in gross receipts, while online sports betting contributed $76.7 million. Operators collectively submitted $64.2 million in taxes and payments to the State of Michigan, with additional payments made to the City of Detroit and tribal governing bodies.
The latest figures highlight the continued strength of Michigan’s regulated online gaming market, which remains one of the largest and most active in the country.
Michigan Gaming Website Changes
The Michigan Gaming website (MichiganGaming.com) is a centralized portal for news resources focused on the gaming and casino industry in the State of Michigan. The site is hosted and published by Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C., providing an industry-focused perspective compared to the official state government site.
The website has recently undergone renovations and upgrades to enhance the user experience in navigating the site and accessing the Michigan Gaming Newsletters. The most significant addition is the new search bar on the main page, which allows users to search for keywords and terms to quickly identify which volume and issue contain specific topics or articles.
The homepage now also features the Daily Gaming Industry News feed—a daily digest highlighting important casino and gaming news articles from across the world. Additionally, the publications tab now allows users to sign up for email delivery of both the Daily Gaming Industry News feed and the Michigan Gaming Newsletter.
The resources page has been redesigned with a cleaner view of the article library. Access is more intuitive with search filters for keywords or dates. Users can easily browse newsletters and download copies for offline access.