Prediction markets operator Kalshi has announced the appointment of Blake Bee to the role of Director of State Government Relations.
Bee joins Kalshi from Amazon, where he served as Senior Manager of Public Policy for approximately one year and nine months.
Prior to his tenure at Amazon, Bee spent seven years with the National Association of Attorneys General, most recently as Director of the NAGTRI Center for Leadership Development from March 2020 to May 2024.
His background also includes extensive experience within the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, where he held multiple positions over an eight-and-a-half-year period. These roles included Special Assistant Attorney General, Executive Counsel and Legislative Liaison, focusing on consumer protection, legislative matters and intellectual property enforcement.
Commenting on his appointment to the new role, Bee stated: “I couldn’t be more excited to join Kalshi, a company on a mission to bring more truth to the world through the power of markets.
“I also want to thank Amazon and all of my wonderful colleagues on the Amazon Public Policy team with whom I’ve had the privilege to work.”
The appointment comes during a period of significant regulatory scrutiny for Kalshi. The company is currently engaged in legal disputes with gaming regulators across multiple states, including Tennessee, New York, Wisconsin, Maryland and Illinois.
These challenges primarily center on whether Kalshi's sports event contracts constitute unlicensed gambling or fall under federal commodities regulation.
In recent weeks, Kalshi has faced cease-and-desist orders and multiple class action lawsuits alleging the company operates illegal sports betting under the guise of prediction markets.
The operator has consistently argued that its peer-to-peer market model distinguishes it from traditional sportsbooks.
Bee's appointment suggests Kalshi is strengthening its government relations capacity as it navigates this complex regulatory landscape across state jurisdictions.
Kalshi is currently engaged in regulatory disputes or litigation in several US states, including Tennessee, New York and Illinois, as scrutiny of prediction markets continues to increase
