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These are today's biggest stories shaping the prediction market industry Thursday, July 23, 2026.
What Does a Facial Recognition Bill Have to do With Prediction Market Contracts?
Friday July 24, 2026 (10:39 am EDT)
Great catch by @jesswelman. A federal bill deceptively titled "Facial Recognition to Protect Children Act" amends the Special Rule to make it easier for the CFTC to approve "gaming" contracts. It's co-sponsored by 5 Dems from sports betting states such as NY, NJ, MI & FL (+ CA). pic.twitter.com/yWIQOUT6YK
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) July 23, 2026
A federal bill deceptively titled "Facial Recognition to Protect Children Act" amends the Special Rule to make it easier for the CFTC to approve "gaming" contracts. It's co-sponsored by 5 Dems from sports betting states such as NY, NJ, MI & FL (+ CA).
Heat Move From 15% Chance to Land LeBron July 15 to 44% Chance Today
Friday July 24, 2026 (10:39 am EDT)
LeBron James departed the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons as an unrestricted free agent, with Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Minnesota, and Philadelphia among the finalists pursuing him, according to ESPN. All teams have completed their pitches to James' camp, with a decision expected soon.
NM Tribes Move To Block Kalshi Offerings On Native Land
Friday July 24, 2026 (10:31 am EDT)
Four New Mexico Tribes seek preliminary injunction in federal court to bar Kalshi from offering sports-event contracts on Indian lands, arguing that it violates the Tribes' sole regulatory authority over gaming on their own lands pursuant to IGRA.
EXCLUSIVE: Spotify Deleted 500,000 Fake Malcolm Todd Streams. A Former SEC Lawyer Says the Bots May Have Committed a Federal Crime
Friday July 24, 2026 (10:31 am EDT
Spotify (NYSE:SPOT) reportedly deleted more than 500,000 fake streams of Malcolm Todd’s “Earrings” after the song shot to the top of the U.S. chart overnight. The suspected motive: a $3 million Kalshi market on June’s most-streamed song. Traders had reportedly priced Todd’s chances below 3% before the surge began, meaning a winning bet paid roughly 30 times its stake. There is no indication Todd or his label were involved. (read more at Benzinga)
Prediction Market Ads Are Out of Control
Friday July 24, 2026 (10:24 am EDT
The result has been a flood of misleading and deceptive ads that would be out of bounds for any other financial firm. As the Journal reported, Kalshi paid college-aged influencers to boast of how much they were betting––and winning––on the platform, most of whom never disclosed that they were being paid. Among them was a 15-year-old video-game streamer whose partnership was canceled only after the company’s lawyers weighed in. “Yo brother, legal team confirmed that we can’t work with minors rn,” a Kalshi employee messaged the streamer, according to the Journal. “Kinda sad tbh.” The companies advertise this way because it works. (read more from City-Journal)
Trump Jr.'s 1789 Capital Posts 200% Returns on Early Polymarket Stake
Friday July 24, 2026 (10:24 am EDT
Donald Trump Jr.'s investment firm 1789 Capital posted 200% returns, driven partly by an early stake in Polymarket. The firm invested when the prediction market was valued near $300 million; Polymarket is now reportedly worth $15 billion. The sources do not specify when the investment was made or the exact position size. The gains underscore how early-stage backing of regulated prediction markets has translated into outsized returns for politically connected investors. The return figure gives rival funds and angel investors a concrete benchmark for what early Polymarket stakes can yield, likely accelerating capital inflows into competing regulated venues. (read more from Prediction Market News)
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- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
