Nevada files to block Polymarket from offering ‘unlicensed wagering’ in the state

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has filed to block Polymarket operations in the state, describing them as “unlicensed wagering.”

The Board filed a civil enforcement action on January 16, requesting an injunction to block prediction market Polymarket from offering “unlicensed wagering in violation of Nevada law”. This means that Polymarket could be formally ordered by the court to cease operations in Nevada, although the company could still file a counter-suit or an appeal to try and avoid this.

BREAKING: The Nevada Gaming Control Board has filed a civil enforcement action in Carson City District Court against Polymarket. The Board seeks a declaration and injunction to stop Polymarket from offering unlicensed wagering in violation of Nevada law. pic.twitter.com/LJIRjw1DsD

— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) January 17, 2026

“Polymarket operates a derivatives exchange and prediction market where it offers event contracts for sale,” wrote the Board in a press release announcing the move. “These products are offered for sale on Polymarket’s mobile app and are made available to people in Nevada. The Board considers offering sports event contracts, or certain other events contracts, to constitute wagering activity under NRS 463.0193 and 463.01962 and, therefore, entities offering such event contracts must be licensed.

“The Board has deemed Polymarket’s operations to be unlawful in Nevada.”

A wave of obstacles for prediction markets in Nevada and beyond

This isn’t the first such move in Nevada, with previous similar actions taken against both DraftKings and Flutter’s prediction market services, while a federal judge also ruled against Robinhood and Kalshi. Elsewhere across the US, states like Tennessee and even national groups have also taken aim at prediction markets, arguing that such companies are skirting gambling regulations.

“Nevada’s public policy, as expressed by the Legislature, is that the gaming industry is vitally important to the economy of the state and the general welfare of the inhabitants and therefore must be licensed, controlled, and assisted to protect the public health, safety, morals, good order, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the State,” said the Board.

ReadWrite has contacted Polymarket for comment.

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 / Polymarket

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