Nevada Gaming Board denies pressuring prediction market conference to leave Las Vegas

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has pushed back against claims by Predict 2026 that regulatory pressure forced the conference to relocate from Las Vegas to New York. A spokesperson told CoinDesk the Board "did not direct, request, or otherwise pressure any licensee or venue to cancel or decline to host any recent or upcoming event," directly contradicting the conference's stated reason for moving.

The dispute plays out against a broader legal standoff between Nevada and the prediction market industry. In April, a state judge ruled that Kalshi's markets were "indistinguishable" from gambling and extended the platform's in-state ban. Meanwhile, CFTC Chair Michael Selig has publicly distinguished prediction markets from sports betting, signaling a different federal posture.

A separate prediction conference, featuring top Polymarket traders, did hold a successful Las Vegas event last…