Louisiana Judge Blocks Kalshi, Polymarket, Robinhood Event Contracts

A Louisiana state judge has ordered Kalshi, Polymarket, Robinhood, Coinbase and other prediction-market operators to stop offering event contracts to anyone in the state. State District Judge Jeffrey Johnson signed the temporary restraining order (TRO) on Thursday, November 12, hours after Attorney General Liz Murrill filed suits against about 30 corporate entities.

Murrill accuses them of violating Louisiana gambling laws. The order runs until November 22 unless the court extends it.

What the Louisiana Restraining Order Requires

Judge Johnson of the 21st Judicial District Court in Tangipahoa Parish signed the order at 3:48 p.m. Thursday, according to the Shreveport Bossier Journal. It was an ex parte order, meaning the judge granted it before the companies had a chance to respond in court.

Event contracts are yes-or-no trades on whether something will happen, such as a team winning a game. Under the order, the defendants can’t facilitate those wagers for anyone located in Louisiana.

The order goes further than a simple pause. The operators must geofence Louisiana, using location checks to block users inside state lines, stop telling Louisiana customers their products are regulated in Louisiana, and comply alongside anyone acting “in active concert or participation” with them, which extends the order to partners.

The Prediction Market Operators Named in the Lawsuit

Reports differ slightly on the size of the case. UPI put the number at 30 corporate entities, while the Shreveport Bossier Journal counted 31 entities across 10 parent operators. The defendants named in the civil enforcement suit include:

The list covers prediction-market specialists, retail brokerages and crypto exchanges. That mix is what sets this case apart from earlier state actions.

Kalshi and Polymarket Take the Fight to Federal Court

Kalshi filed its own case in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. It names Murrill, Gov. Jeff Landry and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Polymarket filed a separate federal challenge.

Kalshi’s core argument hasn’t changed. It says federally regulated exchanges answer to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The CFTC is the federal agency that oversees futures and derivatives markets.

That leaves the companies fighting on two fronts. A state court is enforcing gambling law, while federal courts weigh whether federal rules come first.

The Louisiana case adds to a rough stretch for Polymarket. The company has also faced insider trading allegations tied to Iran war markets and paused international trading after a DebugBear breach.

Why Louisiana’s Case Stands Out

Louisiana is the 13th state to pursue civil enforcement against prediction markets. It is the first to bring prediction markets, retail brokerages and crypto exchanges together in one lawsuit.

Louisiana regulators have flagged prediction markets before. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board issued an advisory notice on prediction markets in December 2025. This time, Murrill sought and obtained a court order with a firm deadline.

The November 22 expiration date is the next key moment. The court can extend the order, and the federal cases could shape what happens after that.

What the Louisiana Ruling Means for Bettors

Louisiana bettors still have a regulated option. The state regulated sports betting in 2021. Online betting launched in January 2022 in 55 of 64 parishes, as our Louisiana sports betting guide explains.

Prediction markets are a separate category. They argue federal oversight covers them, but for now a Louisiana court has blocked them.

Availability may change after November 22, so check the rules before you bet.