NYC council announces probe into ‘predatory marketing practices’ on prediction markets

Council Speaker Julie Menin sent letters to four companies offering prediction market services to New Yorkers as part of an investigation into their marketing practices.

The New York City Council launched an investigation into companies offering prediction market services, aiming to examine whether they used “false and deceptive marketing” through influencers to target young adults.

In a Wednesday notice, the council said Speaker Julie Menin sent letters to Kalshi, Polymarket, Coinbase and Gemini Titan as part of an investigation into what they called “abusive marketing” through the platforms’ prediction market services. The probe will determine whether New York City officials need to consider additional measures against such marketing practices, including legislation, education and enforcement.

“Apps like Polymarket are expanding rapidly unchecked,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan, who chairs the committee on oversight and investigations. “Their unprecedented reach is because they are preying on young adults and minors with deceptive and sometimes outright false marketing tactics that pull them in and wring them dry.”