Home » Sports betting in the USA with Squawka Bet » Prediction Markets by State: Where Are Kalshi & Polymarket Legal? » Is Kalshi Legal in Maryland? Prediction Markets Status (2026)

Is Kalshi Legal in Maryland? Prediction Markets Status (2026)

Yes — Kalshi and Polymarket operate in Maryland, but the state is contested. Maryland argues the sports contracts breach its gaming laws; Kalshi’s request for a preliminary injunction was denied and it has appealed to the Fourth Circuit.

This page covers which prediction markets Maryland residents can use, whether Kalshi and Polymarket are legal in the state, the age rules, and where the current legal debate stands. It is general information, not legal advice, and the picture is evolving — see the reviewed date below. For the platform detail, see our full Kalshi review.

Prediction markets available in Maryland at a glance

Platform	Available in Maryland?	Regulation
Kalshi	Yes — operating, legally contested	CFTC Designated Contract Market
Polymarket	Yes — operating, legally contested	CFTC-regulated (QCX licence)
Robinhood	Operating (contested)	CFTC-regulated event contracts
ProphetX	Operating (contested)	CFTC-regulated (DCM/DCO)
Sweepstakes platforms	Operate under state sweepstakes law	State sweepstakes rules

Squawka Signal

Model vs Market

Where our model disagrees with the live prediction market on the competitions we cover — the edge is the gap between our probability and the market’s.

Inter MiamiMLS CupSquawka model10%Market27%OVERPRICED · -17pp

Signal rates them shorter than the market: 9.7% vs 26.7% (kalshi+polymarket).

Trade on Kalshi

Nashville SCMLS CupSquawka model22%Market9%STRONG VALUE · +13pp

Signal rates them higher than the market: 22.0% vs 9.2% (kalshi+polymarket).

Trade on Kalshi

For analysis and entertainment — not financial advice. 21+ where applicable; eligibility varies by US state. See our Kalshi and Polymarket reviews.

Is Kalshi legal in Maryland?

Kalshi operates in Maryland as a CFTC-regulated exchange, but the state argues its sports contracts violate Maryland gaming law. Kalshi’s preliminary-injunction request was denied and it has appealed to the Fourth Circuit — so Maryland is contested, and the position could shift on the appeal. For the full regulatory background, see our guide to whether Kalshi is legit and legal.

Is Polymarket legal in Maryland?

Polymarket operates in Maryland via its QCX CFTC licence against the same contested backdrop. See how the two compare in our Kalshi vs Polymarket guide.

What you can trade in Maryland

Both major platforms are open to Maryland residents. Kalshi is the simpler starting point — all-50-state access and bank-direct funding; Polymarket offers the deepest liquidity if you are comfortable funding in crypto.

Open a prediction-market account in Maryland

New-user offers, subject to eligibility:

Trade $10, Get $10 on Kalshi
USE CODE SQUAWKA 100% up to $50 on Polymarket
CODE ACQUIRE05

21+ where required. Prediction markets involve risk of loss. If gambling is becoming a problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Or weigh the whole field in our best prediction markets guide.

Maryland prediction markets FAQs

Is Kalshi legal in Maryland?

Yes. Kalshi is a CFTC-regulated exchange operating under federal oversight; Maryland’s specific position is described above and is evolving, so confirm current availability with the platform.

Can I use Polymarket in Maryland?

Polymarket operates in Maryland via its QCX CFTC licence against the same contested backdrop.

How old do you have to be?

CFTC-regulated exchanges such as Kalshi and Polymarket require users to be 18 or over, with identity verification before real-money trading.

Illustrative availability, last reviewed August 2026 — general information, not legal advice. Prediction-market regulation is evolving and varies by state; always confirm eligibility with the platform. 18+/21+ depending on platform and market. Prediction markets involve risk of financial loss. If gambling is becoming a problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.