Statement from CNIGA Chairman James Siva on CFTC Chairman Michael Selig’s Public Remarks

Press Release
For Immediate Release

Contact: James May
(916) 754-7540
[email protected]

Statement from CNIGA Chairman James Siva on CFTC Chairman Michael Selig's Public Remarks

January 29, 2026

James Siva, Chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), released the following statement Thursday after Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Michael Selig, in his first public remarks at the helm of the agency, indicated he will direct the CFTC to develop rules allowing prediction markets to continue offering sports betting. Selig also said he is withdrawing a 2024 proposed rule banning prediction market contracts on sports and a 2025 staff advisory warning the platforms not to offer sports bets.

"Two months after telling senators he would allow the courts to conduct a neutral review of what constitutes 'gaming' under the Commodity Exchange Act, CFTC Chair Michael Selig appears to be abandoning his duty to regulate these illegal gambling platforms and instead will serve as their cheerleader as they flagrantly violate federal and state law, undermine tribal sovereignty, compromise sports integrity, and inflict grave harm on consumers in all 50 states. It is more urgent than ever that Congress step in and insist that online gambling and sports betting through prediction markets is not legal anywhere, anytime to anyone with a smartphone."

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