Prediction Markets
in Ohio
Ohio is accessible but actively hostile territory for prediction markets. The Ohio Casino Control Commission sent cease-and-desist orders to Kalshi, Crypto.com, and Robinhood in April 2025 — one of the earliest state enforcement actions in the country — and as of June 2, 2026 Google prohibits prediction-market advertising in Ohio, making it the second state after Nevada on Google's exclusion list. All platforms remain accessible to Ohio residents under the federal-preemption position, and Ohio has not escalated to litigation. The graduated income tax tops out at 3.5%, one of the lowest rates among large Midwest states.
Google banned prediction-market ads in Ohio — without being asked.
Google updated its US advertising policy to prohibit prediction-market ads in Ohio effective June 2, 2026, making Ohio the second excluded state after Nevada. The OCCC confirmed it did not request the action. The likeliest explanation is Google de-risking around Ohio's April 2025 cease-and-desist orders to Kalshi, Crypto.com, and Robinhood. Platform access for Ohio residents is unchanged — what changed is what operators are allowed to show you.
Read full coverage → Litigation scoreboard →Which platforms are available in Ohio?
| Platform | Status in OH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kalshi | Available | CFTC-regulated DCM: accessible in Ohio. Received an OCCC cease-and-desist in April 2025 but has continued serving Ohio users under its federal-preemption position. Google ads for prediction markets are banned in Ohio as of June 2, 2026. |
| Polymarket | Waitlist | QCEX invite-only. Ohio has not blocked QCEX. Join waitlist at polymarket.com. |
| Manifold | Available | Play-money and sweepstakes cash available in Ohio. |
| PredictIt | Available | CFTC no-action exemption. Politics-only, $850 per contract cap. Available in OH. |
| Robinhood | Available | Sports and economic event contracts accessible in Ohio. Robinhood was also named in the April 2025 OCCC cease-and-desist, alongside Kalshi and Crypto.com. |
Ohio: open with sports betting context
Ohio launched legal sports betting in January 2023 and has quickly become one of the highest-volume sports wagering markets in the Midwest. The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) oversees licensed sports betting operators. Despite Ohio's active gambling regulatory environment, the OCCC has not moved against CFTC-regulated prediction market platforms.
Ohio is one of the key swing states in US elections: prediction market traders focused on Ohio Senate and presidential races are a natural user base. All political prediction market platforms are fully available, including Kalshi and PredictIt's extensive Ohio political market coverage.
- All 5 major prediction market platforms fully available in Ohio
- No enforcement actions from the OCCC against prediction markets as of May 2026
- Low 3.5% top income tax rate
- Strong political market coverage: Ohio is a key swing state
Ohio prediction market tax rates
Ohio has a two-bracket income tax system: 2.75% up to ~$115,000 and 3.5% above that. This is one of the simplest and lowest-burden state tax structures for prediction market income. Event contract profits are ordinary income for Ohio state tax purposes. 1099-MISC from Kalshi for tax reporting.
Other states
Pennsylvania
Fellow open Midwest/Mid-Atlantic state. 3.07% flat tax: very similar tax profile to Ohio.
Gray zone · WIWisconsin
Midwest neighbor that's very different: active civil lawsuit against platforms, 7.65% top tax rate.
Caution · ILIllinois
Executive order, Gaming Board jurisdiction concerns. 4.95% flat tax. Ohio's neighbor to the west.