NFL Urges CFTC: Age 21, Ad Curbs for Sports Prediction Markets

National Football League is pressing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to strengthen its proposed rules for prediction markets. In a July 27 letter to CFTC Chair Michael Selig, the league said preserving game integrity is crucial to the orderly administration of event contracts tied to NFL outcomes.

In its letter, the NFL asked the CFTC to impose a minimum age of 21 and restrict advertising for sports event contracts. The league said advertising controls are intended to limit promotions aimed at younger or financially vulnerable users. It also wants a ban on margin trading, which is meant to prevent traders from borrowing to increase exposure. The league is seeking mandatory league-specific lists of prohibited traders covering players, coaches, officials, and team employees. A centralized standard is designed to reduce the risk of a person banned on one platform opening an account with another provider, the letter said.

Contracts based on individual plays, officiating decisions, penalties, and player participation are particularly vulnerable to manipulation, the league said. A single athlete, coach, or official could influence the outcome, and voters may have non-public information on awards markets, the letter said. The NFL also questioned whether awards markets, such as Offensive Player of the Year, should be permitted.

A 10-day review period for new contracts is too short, the NFL said, adding that contracts already listed after the review period could receive protection from later challenges.

Regulators and affected organizations need more time to assess integrity risks before trading begins. The league also asked for explicit restrictions on the use of material non-public information.

Unlike the NHL and Major League Baseball, which have partnered with prediction platforms, the NFL has taken a more cautious approach and previously asked providers to limit their sports offerings.