Prediction market conference blamed Nevada pressure for move. Regulators say no.

Predict 2026 says it moved to New York from Las Vegas because of “regulatory pressure” from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. A spokesperson for the regulator says otherwise.

“The Nevada Gaming Control Board did not direct, request, or otherwise pressure any licensee or venue to cancel or decline to host any recent or upcoming event or conference, as has been suggested,” a spokesperson told CoinDesk.

Earlier this month, the Prediction Conference, which featured some top traders from Polymarket, took place in Las Vegas – but at a hotel without a casino.

“We had a successful event last month that was attended by several stakeholders and will be hosting a second edition in November again in Las Vegas,” its founder, Ish Milly, told CoinDesk. “Our venue is off the strip and not in a casino.”

A spokesperson for the Nevada gaming regulator also told CoinDesk that “Gaming licensees are expected to adhere to all federal, state, and local statutes and ordinances and prevent any occurrences that may bring discredit to the state or the gaming industry.”

Nevada is one of the states that is locked in a legal battle with the prediction market industry.

In April, a judge in the state ruled that Kalshi’s prediction markets were “indistinguishable” from gambling and ordered an in-state ban on the platform to be extended.

Recently, Michael Selig, chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, told Axios that sports betting and prediction markets are “two separate things.” Selig also said that the CFTC is working with major sports leagues on market surveillance and other market integrity measures.