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Judge denies Nevada’s request for temporary restraining order against Polymarket

The Polymarket and Nevada saga remains to be ongoing, as a judge has denied Nevada’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) which marks a small win for the prediction market.

This refers to the request for an ex parte temporary restraining order, with the docket also suggesting a hearing on the state’s motion for the preliminary injunction has been set. If the docket is correct, the hearing will be held on February 19 and it contains a similar posture to the Massachusetts lawsuit versus Kalshi.

If the hearing goes in the state of Nevada’s favor, the prediction market Polymarket would be forced to geofence statewide.

This latest movement comes after a motion for TRO and the preliminary injunction against Polymarket was filed last week. In the filing, it states: “The BOARD seeks to restrain and enjoin POLYMARKET and any of its agents, employees, officers, or affiliates from operating a derivatives exchange and prediction market (“market”) that offers event-based contracts relating to sporting and other events to people…”

Nevada and Polymarket saga continues, with date for hearing scheduled

It was just days prior to this that the Nevada Gaming Control Board published a press release which clearly stated: “Polymarket operates a derivatives exchange and prediction market where it offers event contracts for sale. These products are offered for sale on Polymarket’s mobile app and are made available to people in Nevada.

“The Board considers offering sports event contracts, or certain other events contracts, to constitute wagering activity under NRS 463.0193 and 463.01962 and, therefore, entities offering such event contracts must be licensed.”

They allege that Polymarket’s operations are unlawful in the state of Nevada and they express how the “gaming industry is vitally important to the economy of the state and the general welfare of the inhabitants and therefore must be licensed, controlled, and assisted to protect the public health, safety, morals, good order, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the State.”

This isn’t the first move Nevada has made against prediction markets either, as similar actions have been taken against most DraftKings and Flutter’s prediction market services.

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

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Sophie Atkinson
Freelance Journalist

Sophie Atkinson is a UK-based journalist and content writer, as well as a founder of a content agency which focuses on storytelling through social media marketing. She kicked off her career with a Print Futures Award which champions young talent working in print, paper and publishing. Heading straight into a regional newsroom, after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism, Sophie started by working for Reach PLC. Now, with five years experience in journalism and many more in content marketing, Sophie works as a freelance writer and marketer. Her areas of specialty span a wide range, including technology, business,…