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Massachusetts Investigates Robinhood's Prediction-Markets Hub

The probe examines the legality and ethics of linking event-based betting, including March Madness contracts, to brokerage accounts.

Overview

  • Massachusetts regulators issued a subpoena to Robinhood on March 20, seeking information on its prediction-markets hub and its marketing to state residents.
  • The investigation focuses on whether Robinhood's platform improperly blurs the line between investing and gambling, particularly for younger users.
  • Robinhood's prediction-markets hub, launched on March 17, allows users to trade contracts on events like NCAA basketball games and Federal Reserve decisions.
  • The hub operates through Kalshi, a CFTC-regulated exchange, with Robinhood emphasizing its compliance with federal regulations.
  • This marks the latest regulatory challenge for Robinhood, which settled a $7.5 million case in 2024 over gamification practices and a 2021 data breach.