Prediction markets labeled “hidden gambling” as North American lotteries urge clearer rules

A leading lottery organization in North America is stepping into the ongoing debate over prediction markets in the United States, warning that they can amount to “hidden gambling.” The North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) has issued a statement calling for lawmakers and regulators to clarify how sports-related event contracts should be handled, according to Gambling News.

NASPL’s move frames the dispute as partly “a matter of semantics,” focusing on how these products are defined and regulated rather than treating them as a separate category by default. The group wants a clearer approach from policymakers and regulators, as the conversation continues around where prediction markets fit within existing gambling and sports frameworks.