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PredictIt is set to relaunch in the United States as a fully fledged and approved political prediction platform after Aristotle confirmed that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has approved its applications. 
The company that services PredictIt has received the green light to operate as both a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and a Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO), heralding a new dawn for the platform.
A brand new PredictIt exchange will emerge, with the latest prediction markets offering for United States-based users expected to open for trading next month.
“We thank the CFTC staff and Acting Chair Pham for their diligence in reviewing and approving our applications, stated John Aristotle Phillips, CEO of Aristotle. 
“With more than a decade of experience operating PredictIt, we’re excited to bring that knowledge and community to a fully regulated marketplace.”
As part of the operator’s DCO approval, its trusted clearing framework is expected to open up new opportunities and attractions for traders, as intimated by the CEO. 
“Prediction markets help people understand the future, and this approval allows us to deliver the most robust and transparent version of that vision yet,” he added.

OG political predictions market, @predictit (& Aristotle), just got CFTC approval to launch a regulated exchange, after years of litigation. https://t.co/3aBCq2ECpe
— Lydia Beyoud (@ElleBeyoud) September 5, 2025

Settlement of PredictIt and CFTC long-time dispute
PredictIt first emerged in 2014 as an online political prediction market, operated by Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. 
As with other prediction markets such as Polymarket, which recently added Donald Trump Jnr. to its advisory board, the premise is that users can trade contracts on political outcomes (elections, legislative votes, or policy decisions), effectively functioning as a betting platform where prices reflect user-driven probabilities. 
A breakthrough was reached in June this year, when PredictIt and the CFTC settled their years-long lawsuit through a joint status update filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. 
That was a clear indication of the direction of travel for prediction market operators, under the present Trump administration, following years of legal wrangles with the CFTC and threats of enforcement actions from the regulator. 
Image credit: PredictIt
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The Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria has become one of the latest to express opposition to the California Assembly Bill 831.
If this bill were to go into effect, it would make it unlawful for any person or entity to operate, conduct, or offer an online sweepstakes game, in the state.
“The bill would make it unlawful for any entity, financial institution, payment processor, geolocation provider, gaming content supplier, platform provider, or media affiliate to knowingly and willfully support directly or indirectly the operation, conduct, or promotion of an online sweepstakes game within this state,” the legislative information states.
On September 3, Sandra Knight, the vice chair of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, sent a letter of opposition.
“This legislation proceeds without genuine consensus from California’s tribal communities, has moved forward absent comprehensive tribal consultation, and jeopardizes our sovereign authority to develop legitimate revenue sources essential to our community’s welfare,” the letter states.
Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria asks leaders to reject bill 831
According to the tribe, its tribal nations in more remote regions that face ‘distinct economic development obstacles’ and cannot match the scale or market advantages of wealthier and more well-established casino operations.
The letter suggests that AB 831 would only exemplify this dynamic, “as it would effectively close off emerging revenue opportunities that could help level the playing field for economically disadvantaged tribal communities.”
Digital commerce platforms, like online social games with sweepstakes promotions, currently offer a pathway for tribal diversification beyond conventional gaming revenues. Sandra Knight continues in the letter to state how the need for economic opportunities for the tribe cannot be understated:
“Approximately 28% of individuals in California’s tribal communities experience poverty, nearly double the statewide rate of 15%.
“Tribal housing faces a crisis with 40% of Native American households experiencing overcrowding, compared to 8% of all California households.
“Food access challenges affect up to 3 in 4 tribal community members in rural areas, significantly exceeding California’s overall food insecurity rate of 11%.”
To close off the letter, the vice chair said they respectfully request California’s leaders to reject the bill and instead recommend they pursue policies that support economic opportunities for all tribes.
Featured Image: Canva
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The Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) has opened a lawsuit against Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) Holdings and MW Services (trading as WOW Vegas), seeking almost $44 million in unpaid state taxes and penalties. 
A major driver for the legal action is the estimation of virtual currency sold by the operators to Louisiana residents, which LDR insists should have been subject to sales and use taxes under regular state law. 
The action taken over the trading of Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins, used as the virtual currency on the platforms, represents an escalation of action taken against sweepstakes in Louisiana, but it is far from the first salvo. 
Back in April this year, a bill filed by Senator Adam Bass attempted to stamp out online sweepstakes in the Pelican State, with SB 181 outlawing the operation and promotion of such sites. 
The legislation addressed what it calls “gambling by computer,” which includes any online games, contests, or promos that use a dual-currency system, such as free and paid coins, and gives players a shot at winning prizes, cash, or anything with real-world value.
The bill also targeted banning any form of lottery-like games and even sports betting, including anyone connected to the operation, such as geolocation providers, gaming manufacturers and suppliers, platform providers, promoters, and even media affiliates that help promote or support these illegal online gambling sites.

BREAKING: The Louisiana Department of Revenue has sued online sweepstakes casino operators VGW and MW Services (dba “WOW Vegas”) for $44 million in unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties based on estimated sales of virtual currency to in-state residents. pic.twitter.com/VOUSBMHloT
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) September 6, 2025

Fresh approach from Louisiana to pursue lost tax revenue dollars
VGW Holdings is an Australian-based company operating popular sweepstakes platforms like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, while its counterpart MW Services, is the entity responsible for WOW Vegas, a Gibraltar-based sweepstakes casino offering similar games.
In June, the state legislature passed SB 181 to ban all such platforms, but Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed it the following day, arguing that existing laws already prohibit them and that regulators like the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB), Attorney General’s Office, and State Police Gaming Division were actively enforcing compliance.
The LGCB followed up by issuing 42 cease-and-desist letters to offshore and sweepstakes operators, including VGW and entities linked to WOW Vegas, outlining violations of state gaming laws.
This led to the VGW announcing restrictions on promotional (sweepstakes coin) play, while WOW Vegas notified users that would exit Louisiana by July 11.
Now, the tax-focused lawsuit by the LDR represents a fresh approach from a different angle. 
Rather than taking crime and outlaw-based enforcement, it is going after the lost tax revenue dollars, plus interest, with this lawsuit potentially setting an intriguing precedent for other states to pursue tax recovery from sweepstakes operators.
VGW declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
Image credit: Joe Levigne/Unsplash
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The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) is investigating multiple alleged illegal gambling operations throughout the Californian city, with five search warrants having just taken place.
On September 3, 2025, officers assigned to Mission Station, Tenderloin Station, Narcotics Division, Citywide Plainclothes Team, Tactical Unit, and SFPD K-9 “Cooper” carried out five search warrant services at businesses located on the 300 block of Turk Street, 1900 block of Mission Street, and the 2000 block of Mission Street.

An investigation into numerous illegal gambling operations throughout San Francisco has led to the seizure of more than 30 gambling machines, over $17K in US currency, and various narcotics and weapons. Officers also made 4 arrests as a result of these operations.
Read more… pic.twitter.com/FTZDS0VsFo
— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) September 5, 2025

During the search, the investigators detained several subjects and officers conducted a search of the premises and seized alleged evidence of illegal gambling. This included “over 30 illegal gambling machines, over $17,000 in U.S. currency, suspected narcotics, numerous containers of nitrous oxide, and weapons.”
San Francisco Police share details of alleged illegal gambling operations
Throughout all of this, the SFPD states that officers developed probable cause to arrest four adult males “for violations related to operating an illegal gambling parlor, outstanding arrest warrants, possession of narcotics, and weapons.”
Although arrests have been made, the investigation remains open and active.
It was only back in June when the police department published information about another search warrant which resulted in gambling machines, a firearm, suspected narcotics, and other contraband was seized.
Officers from Tenderloin Station and the Drug Market Coordination Center executed a search warrant at a liquor store, with the search coming after a month-long investigation.
At the time, the SFPD said the investigation “is part of the SFPD’s strategy to identify and conduct enforcement on businesses that contribute to drug-related crimes in the neighborhood.”
Just a few months earlier, in January, another four people were arrested following a search warrant service.
“Officers developed probable cause to arrest four adult males for violations related to operating an illegal gambling parlor, outstanding arrest warrants, and narcotics. 11 others were cited for misdemeanor violations,” the police stated.
Featured Image: Via San Francisco Police Department
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The sports betting brand ‘bwin’ has now announced its official partnership with the National Football League as it becomes the ‘Official Sports Betting Partner of the NFL in Spain.’
This alliance comes ahead of the first official NFL game in Spain which will take place on November 16, 2025, at the Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. The Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders will be going head to head.

🏈🤝 Nos enorgullece anunciar nuestra alianza con la NFL en España🇪🇸

🔥 Compartiremos la emoción, la pasión y el espectáculo de una de las ligas más potentes del mundo.

⭐️ Más allá de la emoción pic.twitter.com/iIoqHve0Ao

— bwin España (@bwin_es) September 5, 2025

The partnership is a ‘multi-year’ collaboration which will also see bwin be the official sports betting partner for Super Bowl LX in Spain. The brand will work closely with the NFL to strengthen the league’s growth in the country and aim to create new opportunities for fan engagement.
The operator will launch exclusive activations, special promotions, and personalized content in the years ahead to bring American football closer to the Spanish audiences.
bwin announcement ahead of NFL game to be held in Madrid, Spain, in November
“Partnering with the NFL is an exciting milestone for bwin in Spain, in a year when the league is celebrating its first game in Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu, one of the great temples of world sport,” says Curry Sloan, managing director for Canada, Iberia, and Latin America.
“As one of the world’s most exciting sports leagues, the NFL shares our passion for competition, entertainment, and fan engagement. Together, we will deliver unforgettable experiences and bring fans in Spain even closer to the action, always with a focus on safe and responsible gaming.”
It was back in February 2024 when it was announced that Madrid would host the NFL as the sports league stated it “prioritizes global growth.”
This approach into the European country is said to highlight the continued expansion of the league’s global footprint. Spain isn’t the first country outside of the United States to host the sport though, as fifty regulator season NFL games have been played internationally throughout the league’s history.
The sport has played in places like London, Munich, Frankfurt, Mexico City, and Toronto. In 2024, São Paulo, Brazil staged a game at the Corinthians Arena.
Featured Image: Credit to Entain
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