Prediction Market Ads Censored by Google in Michigan and New York
Google announced in a recent update posted to its Ads Help Center that starting July 13, it will prohibit advertisements for prediction market contracts and related products within Michigan and New York.
The new policy expands Google’s restrictions to include these two states, which now join a list of jurisdictions where the promotion of prediction markets is not allowed. Prediction markets typically enable users to bet on the outcomes of various events, such as sports matches, elections, and financial indicators. Google clarified that the ban applies specifically to “prediction markets contracts and related products ads.” The company did not specify the reasons behind selecting Michigan and New York in its official notice. However, this move appears to be connected to recent legal and regulatory actions targeting prediction market operators like Kalshi and Polymarket, especially in these states.
In June, Michigan’s circuit court ordered Kalshi to cease offering sports-related event contracts to residents, a directive that Kalshi has challenged. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) responded by instructing Kalshi not to cancel existing trades in Michigan, emphasizing that state courts cannot force federally registered markets to violate federal law under the Commodity Exchange Act. New York is also part of a broader legal battle, with the CFTC suing nine states including New York to prevent local enforcement efforts against prediction markets. The other states involved are Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.
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Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket heavily depend on digital advertising to attract users, especially in major markets such as Michigan and New York. With Google’s ad ban now in effect, these companies face a significant hurdle in reaching their audiences in these key regions. The restriction applies across Google’s Search and Display networks and affects all advertisers, not just prediction market providers. This adds to the challenges faced by the prediction market industry, which has experienced a surge in trading activity, notably during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Data shows that Kalshi and Polymarket collectively processed $44.8 billion in June a 75% jump from May. Meanwhile, the CFTC is advancing proposed rules that could further restrict event contracts it considers to be related to gaming, including sports betting. The agency’s proposal, issued in June, is currently open for public comment and could impact the future landscape of prediction markets even further. Google Michigan New York
