Predict 2026 Says Nevada Gaming Board Pressured It to Move Conference; Regulator Denies Involvement

TLDR

• Predict 2026 relocated its conference to New York and attributed the decision to regulatory pressure from Nevada.
• The Nevada Gaming Control Board stated it did not exert any influence or pressure on venues to cancel or reject events.
• The board emphasized that gaming licensees must comply with all laws and refrain from actions detrimental to Nevada’s gaming industry.
• Previously, The Prediction Conference hosted an event in Las Vegas at a hotel lacking casino operations.
• The founder of The Prediction Conference announced plans to return to Las Vegas in November at a non-casino venue off the strip.

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(SeaPRwire) –   Predict 2026 relocated its event to New York and cited Nevada regulatory pressure as the reason. The Nevada Gaming Control Board denied any involvement in the matter. The dispute now centers on what venues believed regulators wanted.

Predict 2026 cites Nevada Gaming Control Board pressure

Predict 2026 claimed it moved its annual conference away from Las Vegas due to pressure from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. No specific venue was named.

A spokesperson for the board told CoinDesk that the agency did not apply pressure to any licensee or venue. The spokesperson said, “We did not ask anyone to cancel”.

The spokesperson clarified that the board did not direct hosts to decline hosting the conference. The agency acknowledged that some reports had suggested otherwise.

The spokesperson explained that licensees are required to follow applicable laws and avoid conduct that could damage Nevada’s gaming reputation. They also stressed that hosts must prevent events that bring discredit to the industry.

Predict 2026 has not released any emails, letters, or contracts related to the move. CoinDesk reported the reasons based on statements from the organizers.

Nevada has taken legal action against certain segments of the prediction market sector, prompting organizers to alter both locations and formats.

Nevada officials did not specifically reference Predict 2026 in their statement but reiterated that licensees must safeguard the industry’s reputation.

State regulators have faced criticism from industry groups regarding access to conferences, yet the board maintained that it did not target such events.

Polymarket traders meet in Las Vegas as Kalshi faces court order

Earlier this month, The Prediction Conference brought together Polymarket traders and other stakeholders in Las Vegas for a two-day program. However, the event was held at a hotel without a casino.

Founder Ish Milly told CoinDesk that the event successfully engaged several stakeholders and operated smoothly. He confirmed that the next edition will take place in November.

Milly stated, “We will host a second edition in November in Las Vegas”. He added, “Our venue is off the strip”.

He also noted that the hotel does not operate a casino, thereby avoiding potential licensing issues related to casinos.

Nevada continues to be involved in a legal battle this year over sports-linked prediction market contracts. In April, a judge upheld an in-state ban on Kalshi following state enforcement actions.

The judge determined that Kalshi’s contracts appeared “indistinguishable” from gambling under state law, leading to the continuation of the ban.

CFTC chair Michael Selig told Axios, “Sports betting and prediction markets are fundamentally different”. He emphasized that the CFTC collaborates with leagues on surveillance and integrity measures.