Nevada Problem Gambling Group Cuts Ties With NCPG Over Kalshi Partnership

Due to the National Council on Problem Gambling's relationship with Kalshi, the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling is severing its relationship with the National Council on Problem Gambling, the Nevada Current is reporting. 

Back in May, the NCPG partnered with Kalshi, and this certainly caused some issues. Last month, the Michigan Gaming Control Board severed ties with the NCPG. Speaking with the Nevada Current, NCPG Executive Director Trey Delap confirmed their decision, noting that they tried to put a pause on the relationship, but the NCPG refused. 

Nevada Council Cites Kalshi Legal Battle

So why are they leaving? Well, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has been dealing with Kalshi legally for months. On February 17, the Control Board filed a civil enforcement action against the prediction market platform. 

Then, in June, after Kalshi allegedly violated a preliminary injunction, the NGCB sought to have Kalshi held in contempt. 

After months of legal battles, Kalshi finally agreed to implement a geofence to prevent traders in Nevada from trading in sports-event contracts. 

In response to the legal battle, the NVCPG filed friends-of-the-court briefs against Kalshi in March. 

“After months of discussion, we’ve concluded that this is not simply a disagreement about one company,” Delap told the Nevada Current. “It reflects a fundamental difference in how we believe a problem gambling organization should respond to emerging gambling risks.”

Michigan Previously Cut Ties With NCPG

As mentioned, Michigan's Gaming Control Board made a similar move in early July. 

"Accordingly, MGCB is formally withdrawing its membership from NCPG. Please remove all references to the MGCB’s membership or affiliation with NCPG immediately. Additionally, MGCB employees will no longer serve on any board or committee of NCPG and will no longer attend any NCPG events, including the annual conference," MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams wrote, addressing the letter to Heather Maurer, the Executive Director of the NCPG. 

Williams also added the following: 

"Finally, please note the MGCB is canceling its paid sponsorship for the conference scheduled at the end of July. We will follow up separately to address any steps necessary to ensure all references to MGCB sponsorship are removed.

"I regret that this action is necessary but trust you understand the MGCB’s need to ensure that it is not associated with organizations that are affiliated with companies engaged in illegal gambling."

More NCPG Withdrawals Could Follow

Back to Delap and the NVCPG, he added that other withdrawals may be coming. 

“Stakeholders including gaming, treatment, regulators, and other state councils are all having serious conversations about withdrawing or redirecting their support,” Delap said.