Sports Traders Union Launches with Demands for Prediction Market Reforms
TL;DR — The Sports Traders Union launched to advocate for prediction market reforms including raising the age minimum from 18 to 21 and releasing retail user loss data. Partly funded by Novig but claiming operational independence, it will issue report cards grading exchanges on a code of conduct. This introduces a bettor-driven voice into a polarized industry debate.
SCCG Take — This union creates an inflection point that could force greater transparency on operators. Platforms and regulators must weigh the credibility of trader-led grading against risks of perceived industry capture.
A new consumer advocacy group called the Sports Traders Union launched this week to represent professional bettors in the prediction market space. Unlike trade associations aligned with exchanges, the organization aims to push for changes that cannot be dismissed as lobbying tactics from threatened incumbents.
The group consists mainly of active traders with strong social media followings who use platforms including Kalshi. It is calling for the minimum participant age to rise from 18 to 21, plus improvements to product design, marketing standards, and addiction resources. The union also demands that prediction market companies release data on retail user losses, a persistent point of friction for researchers.
Industry Tensions and the Union’s Agenda
The prediction market sector remains combative. Tribal groups and traditional sportsbooks have spent millions of dollars this year on lobbyists to slow the exchanges’ expansion. The Coalition for Prediction Markets has often attributed such criticism to a “casino lobby” with ulterior motives.
Funding for the Sports Traders Union includes support from Novig, a federally regulated exchange. Isaac Rose-Berman, on the advisory board, stated the group is operationally independent. The board also features Jack Andrews, Antonino De Rosa, Rufus Peabody, Shane Sigsbee, Jacob Fortinsky and Alex Kane—the CEOs of Novig and Sporttrade, who have agreed to follow the union’s code of conduct.
The union plans to issue public report cards grading exchanges on adherence to that code. Rose-Berman said: “I am sure that if we were to publish a report card of Kalshi that’s really bad, they’re not going to be ecstatic about it. But, presumably, the response from them is not going to be like, ‘OK, we are going to completely ignore this.’” This approach, according to reporting by Sportico, seeks credibility rooted in the bettors themselves.
The Credibility Test Ahead
A clear limitation is the potential perception of influence from Novig’s funding and the presence of exchange CEOs on the advisory board. That connection could undercut claims of full independence if grades prove unfavorable to funders.
Even so, this group marks an inflection point. By centering professional traders, it may compel platforms to improve transparency and protections in ways that industry self-regulation has not. Client-partners should track how these report cards influence both market behavior and regulatory conversations going forward.
Reporting: Sportico
A trader advocacy group funded by an exchange is a smart PR play, but credibility hinges on independence when grading begins.
We've seen every flavor of advocacy in this industry — operator coalitions, tribal lobbying, academic pressure. A bettor-fronted union changes the optics in the prediction market wars, especially if it can deliver real accountability without looking like a front. The grading threat is real leverage if independence holds.
- Union calls for age 21 minimum and public retail loss data from exchanges
- Backed by Novig, board includes Novig and Sporttrade CEOs — independence claims face scrutiny
- Plans public report cards grading exchanges on code of conduct compliance
SCCG angle: SCCG works with platforms navigating new advocacy pressures — we help clients build transparent compliance frameworks and stakeholder strategies that withstand public grading, using our regulatory and operator network to benchmark best practices before report cards drop.