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- Kalshi expands in Washington as policy scrutiny rises across federal and state agencies.
- New hires strengthen Kalshi’s regulatory engagement amid record trading volumes nationwide.
- States challenge Kalshi’s sports contracts as courts deliver mixed rulings on jurisdiction.
Kalshi has opened a new office in Washington, D.C. The move signals a deeper push into federal and state policy as scrutiny of prediction markets increases across the United States. The company also expanded its government relations team to address emerging regulatory challenges.
Kalshi appointed political strategist John Bivona as its first head of federal government relations. He brings more than 20 years of experience across political campaigns and federal agencies. His previous roles include serving as the first White House liaison at the Department of Homeland Security during the Biden administration.
Bivona also worked as chief of staff to former New York congressman Antonio Delgado. He held senior positions at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Kalshi said his appointment reflects the firm’s intent to engage directly with policymakers.
Kalshi Enhances Oversight and State Outreach
Kalshi is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The platform enables trading on contracts tied to future events in politics, economics, entertainment, and sports. The company said rising activity across these categories requires stronger coordination with officials.
Kalshi also expanded its outreach efforts at the state level. It brought Blake Bee on board. Bee worked with state attorneys general and previously served as the senior manager of state and local public policy at Amazon. He also worked at the National Association of Attorneys General and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.
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Kalshi has seen rapid market growth in recent times. However, the platform has seen $6.58 billion in volume in December. The competition, Polymarket, saw $2.28 billion in the same period. The platform saw rapid growth last fall when the NFL season began. The platform saw $441 million in the first four days after kickoff.
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However, State regulators have challenged Kalshi’s sports-related contracts. Officials in Arizona, Tennessee, Connecticut, and Massachusetts argued the products resemble unlicensed sports wagering under state laws. These actions created a patchwork of conflicting interpretations.
Legal Challenges Intensify Across U.S. States
Court outcomes have varied. A federal judge in Nevada ruled that Kalshi must follow the state’s gaming regulations. The court rejected the company’s argument that CFTC oversight supersedes state authority. Kalshi appealed the decision. In Tennessee, a judge temporarily blocked officials from halting the company’s sports contracts.
Opposition from states continued to build. In 2025, the SWC urged the CFTC to restrict sports event contracts. The group said the products avoid state rules for age checks, responsible gaming tools, and anti-money laundering safeguards.
Federal lawmakers also advanced new limits. More than 30 House Democrats supported legislation targeting interactions between government officials and prediction markets. Interest grew after a Polymarket bet rose from $32,000 to more than $400,000 before the unexpected detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Representative Ritchie Torres proposed the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026. The bill seeks additional oversight of trading activity involving public officials.
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