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Google has confirmed that prediction market contracts and related products can no longer be promoted through Google Ads in Ohio, with the restriction taking effect on June 2, 2026.
The move narrows the company’s five‑month‑old program for prediction market advertising in the United States and comes against the backdrop of an ongoing legal dispute between Ohio regulators and CFTC‑regulated exchanges.
According to Google’s Advertising Policies Help Center, “In June 2026, Google will update our Prediction markets policy in the United States to prohibit the advertisement of prediction markets contracts and related products ads in Ohio.” The notice further states that “advertising of prediction markets and related products in Ohio is prohibited effective June 2, 2026.”
The update is short and does not explain why Ohio was removed from the approved advertising territory. It modifies the existing policy, which had allowed prediction market ads across the United States, with Nevada and Ohio excluded.
Ohio/prediction market battle continues
Google’s decision to block prediction market ads in Ohio comes at a time when the state is already locked in a wider fight over how these platforms should be regulated.
Earlier in 2026, a federal court in Ohio rejected Kalshi’s request for a preliminary injunction against state regulators. Chief Judge Sarah Morrison ruled that the company had not shown its sports‑event contracts fell fully under the CFTC’s exclusive jurisdiction, meaning Ohio’s enforcement could not be stopped. Weeks later, regulators hit Kalshi with a $5 million fine.
Ohio regulators argue that these contracts amount to unlicensed gambling under state law. The Ohio Casino Control Commission and the attorney general were among those Kalshi tried to block, but the court found that the Commodity Exchange Act did not clearly override state gambling rules.
The judge noted that the CFTC’s lack of action weakened Kalshi’s claim. The company has said it will appeal.
Nevada has also been off‑limits since Google first launched its prediction market advertising policy in January 2026. The state’s Gaming Control Board enforces strict licensing rules, and prediction market platforms have not obtained approval there.
Prediction market advertising is already treated as a restricted category in Google Ads, defined as platforms offering access to exchange‑listed event contracts tied to economics, sports, or current events.
Source: PPC Land
