O fiscal xeral de Arizona, Kris Mayes, presentou cargos penais contra a plataforma de predicións Kalshi, accusing it of operating an illegal gambling business without a license and offering election wagering in violation of state law.
The complaint, filed in Maricopa County court, includes 20 counts, alleging that Kalshi accepted bets from Arizona residents on a variety of events, including the 2028 presidential race and the 2026 Arizona gubernatorial election and primary—activities that are illegal in the state. This marks the first time a U.S. state has brought criminal charges against such a prediction platform, signaling an escalation in regulatory enforcement from civil disputes to criminal prosecution.
Kalshi argues that it is subject to federal oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and should not be bound by state gambling laws. The company has previously filed federal lawsuits against Arizona, Iowa, e Utah, alegando que os esforzos reguladores estatais infrinxen a xurisdición exclusiva do goberno federal sobre a negociación de derivados.
Mayes respondeu que Kalshi está intentando eludir a responsabilidade legal demandando aos estados, e que as acusacións penais son unha resposta ao litixio federal da empresa. Kalshi, á súa vez, acusou aos funcionarios estatais de perturbar o proceso xudicial e cualificou os cargos de infundados, prometendo loitar contra eles no xulgado.
Os funcionarios federais manifestaron o seu apoio á industria de predicións. O presidente da CFTC afirmou que os ataques legais dos gobernos estatais están a minar a competencia exclusiva da axencia sobre o sector.. A disputa prepara o escenario para un posible enfrontamento entre a autoridade reguladora federal e estatal.