Baltimore sues Kalshi and Polymarket, roping Coinbase, Robinhood and Webull into the fight
Quick TakeBaltimores Kalshi lawsuit also names distribution partners Coinbase, Robinhood and Webull as defendants.The city is seeking penalties, restitution and an order blocking unauthorized sports betting. Baltimore, the most populous city in Maryland, has sued prediction market operators Kalshi and Polymarket over allegations that their sports-event contracts amount to illegal gambling, with the citys case against Kalshi also pulling its distribution partners Coinbase, Robinhood and Webull into the mix. Mayor Brandon Scott and the Baltimore City Council filed the lawsuits Thursday in Baltimore City Circuit Court. The complaints allege the companies violated the citys Consumer Protection Ordinance by offering sports betting without proper state licenses. The city contends that Kalshi and Polymarket offer the same kinds of wagers as licensed sportsbooks, including game winners, point spreads and player performance contracts. The suits also claim that these platforms skirt state oversight, taxation and other consumer protections that licensed operators are required to abide by. “These companies are running sportsbooks without licenses and betting that a new label will put them above the law,” Scott said. “It wont.” Baltimore vs Kalshi While the city filed separate complaints against Kalshi and Polymarket, the Kalshi case is a bit broader. Alongside Kalshi Inc. and KalshiEX LLC, the complaint names Robinhood