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Curtis-Schiff Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act
Type: Federal legislation (proposed) Introduced: March 23, 2026 Sponsors: Senators Curtis and Schiff Status: Not enacted Domain: Prediction market regulation
Overview
The Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act is a proposed federal bill that would prohibit sports and casino-style event contracts on CFTC-regulated platforms. It represents the prohibitionist approach to prediction market regulation, directly opposing the McCormick-Gillibrand regulatory framework.
Legislative Approach
The bill would "amend federal law so that sports and casino-style event contracts may not be offered on platforms regulated by the commission [CFTC]." This is a categorical prohibition rather than a regulatory framework.
Scope
The bill specifically targets:
- Sports event contracts
- Casino-style event contracts
- Contracts on CFTC-regulated platforms
Notably absent from the bill's scope:
- DAO governance markets
- On-chain prediction markets
- Futarchy-style decision markets
- Non-DCM platforms
Political Context
The bill emerged in the same legislative session as the competing McCormick-Gillibrand Prediction Market Act (S.4469, April 30, 2026), which takes a "regulate, don't prohibit" approach. The Senate unanimously passed S.Res.708 restricting congressional trading on prediction markets, showing bipartisan appetite for some action, though the form remains contested.
Regulatory Implications
If enacted, the Curtis-Schiff approach would:
- Create a two-tier prediction market structure (prohibited sports/casino vs. unregulated other)
- Eliminate CFTC regulatory pathway for sports contracts
- Potentially create pressure to expand prohibition categories
- Leave governance markets in regulatory limbo (neither prohibited nor regulated)
Timeline
- 2026-03-23 — Bill introduced by Senators Curtis and Schiff
- 2026-04-30 — Competing McCormick-Gillibrand bill (S.4469) introduced
- 2026 — Neither bill enacted; legislative path uncertain
Sources
- National Law Review, "Update: Prediction Markets" (March 23, 2026)
- Bill text (Curtis-Schiff)
- S.4469 (McCormick-Gillibrand) for comparison