A regulatory milestone for sports integrity
On May 21, 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the National Hockey League announced a memorandum of understanding that creates a confidential channel for sharing information and coordinating efforts to guard against fraud, insider trading and other threats to the integrity of professional hockey.
The agreement comes after the NHL became the first major U.S. professional sports league to formally partner with prediction‑market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket in October 2025, signing multiyear licensing deals that allow fans to wager on the outcomes of games and player performances.
Under the MOU, the NHL retains final say over which markets are offered and can demand the removal of contracts deemed high‑risk or inappropriate, while the CFTC gains a direct line to monitor and intervene in any suspicious activity.
The framework builds on the league’s existing integrity monitoring system, which relies on Sportradar data feeds and the IC360 suspicious‑activity tracking platform, adding a federal regulatory layer to the oversight process.
CFTC Chairman Michael Selig highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating that safeguarding sports integrity protects both fans and market participants, while NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman emphasized that the collaboration enhances the league’s ability to identify, deter and address potential risks before they materialize.
Although no manipulation incidents involving NHL event contracts have been reported to date, both agencies framed the MOU as a preventive measure, signaling a proactive stance as prediction markets continue to expand within the sports ecosystem.