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A coalition sues to block Kentucky’s new 14.25% prediction markets tax
The coalition says the levy is discriminatory and higher than Kentucky’s 9.75% horse-track tax, pushing traders toward less regulated platforms.
On Friday, a Coalition including Kalshi, Crypto, and Polymarket filed a lawsuit challenging Kentucky's new 14.25% excise tax on prediction markets, claiming the levy is unconstitutional.
The Kentucky General Assembly enacted the 14.25% tax in April on prediction market transaction fees, though legal documents argue no other State imposes such a discriminatory excise tax on federally designated exchanges.
Fair Markets contends the tax is discriminatory, noting Kentucky applies a lower 9.75% tax rate to its "favored incumbent industry," horse racing tracks. The lawsuit argues higher fees push users toward unregulated platforms.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman vowed to defend the statutes, using gambling terminology to characterize the lawsuit as an attempt by out-of-State companies to "cancel Kentucky's sports betting laws."
Prediction markets face intense scrutiny regarding legitimacy following high-profile controversies, including investigations into Congressman George Santos and an Army soldier who allegedly used classified information to profit $400,000.