On Thursday, the National Hockey League (NHL) announced a confidential partnership with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) aimed at sharing information. While the CFTC's press release stated this agreement seeks to protect the integrity of professional hockey and ensure fair prediction markets, it did not provide specific details on the information exchange outlined in the memorandum of understanding.
CFTC Chairman Michael Selig expressed his pride in the collaboration, highlighting the agency's commitment to enhancing data sharing between professional sports leagues and the CFTC. He emphasized that this agreement serves to safeguard sports integrity and protect participants in prediction markets from issues such as insider trading and fraud. He acknowledged NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for his proactive role in safeguarding the market integrity associated with professional hockey.
This agreement comes on the heels of a similar deal between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the CFTC earlier this year. Notably, both agreements clarify that they do not override potential future legal or judicial changes.
The application of the CFTC's integrity-related information in monitoring market operators, who are expected to self-regulate, remains ambiguous. Although the federal regulator recently penalized an Army soldier for profiting over $400,000 using classified information on Polymarket, similar actions in the realm of sports event contracts have yet to be pursued.
Prediction markets related to sports contracts continue to face scrutiny at both state and federal levels, with legal resolutions appearing at least months, if not years, away. The ongoing questions of legality may eventually land in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Despite these uncertainties, the NHL remains engaged with prediction markets. In October 2025, the league announced a partnership with Kalshi and Polymarket, aiming to engage new audiences. NHL Business President Keith Wachtel described these partnerships as key to broadening fan engagement during the NHL season, recognizing the growth of this market segment.
Historically, the NHL resisted legalized sports betting outside Nevada, aligning with other major U.S. sports leagues. However, following the 2018 PASPA ruling, the NHL quickly adapted, forming partnerships with sportsbook operators and data-sharing agreements. In March 2019, Bettman minimized integrity concerns, framing the league's entry into business with sports betting operators as a response to changing conditions rather than a direct integrity issue.
At the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, Bettman reiterated the call for uniform federal regulations governing sports betting, highlighting a pathway toward a consistent playing field—though potentially in a context related to regulated sports betting.
Bettman reiterated the NHL's ongoing commitment to integrity, which he described as essential to maintaining fan and partner trust. He indicated that the memorandum with the CFTC strengthens existing integrity monitoring systems and enhances their capacity to address potential risks, showcasing a mutual commitment to transparency and oversight in protecting the integrity of the game.
