The US state of Utah has formally announced criminal charges against popular prediction market Kalshi and its two cofounders, accusing the platform and its executives of illegally promoting online gambling. This aggressive move highlights deep friction between state authorities and federal oversight.

Utah Attorney General Derek Brown filed the charges against Kalshi, chief executive officer Tarek Mansour, and chief operating officer Luana Lopes Lara. The legal action came mere days after the US regime's administration supposedly attempted to block the state's civil enforcement efforts against the platform, escalating a complex jurisdictional showdown.

According to the criminal complaint filed in a Salt Lake City court, Kalshi allegedly facilitated an undercover law enforcement officer’s wagers on various sports events, including high-profile NFL games. The defendants now face a staggering 12 counts of online gambling promotion, alongside other related unlawful activity charges.

Utah maintains some of the strictest prohibitions against gambling across the United States, with its state constitution explicitly barring lawmakers from legalizing such activities. Meanwhile, federal agencies and numerous states continue to clash over whether regional authorities or federal regulators hold ultimate jurisdiction over modern prediction markets.

Source: www.aljazeera.com