The Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town of Oklahoma has denied entering into a partnership with Kalshi to develop an independent prediction markets application, as confirmed by Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Conference Chair Victor Rocha.
Rocha shared a statement from the Tribe which read: “Any suggestion or assertion by any individual or organization that Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, the Governing Committee or any member of its legal leadership, or any representative of the Tribe, has engaged in an agreement or signed a contract to partner with any prediction market gaming apps, including Kalshi, is false.
“The Tribal administration of the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Towns position is clear: prediction markets undermine the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and Oklahoma/Tribal State compacts by allowing illegal Class ll gaming to diminish the sovereignty of Tribal nations and undermine revenue streams critical to Tribal government programs and services.”
Kalshi unveiled a new partnership with the Oklahoma Tribe on October 7, along with the Greenville Rancheria, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation and Alturas Indian Rancheria Tribes in California.
Each Tribe was set to unveil an independent prediction market application and maintain ownership of the platform, including PokkeTrades by Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town.
While the Tribe is not currently enrolled as a member of the organization, the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) challenged the partnership on October 8, believing the application could threaten gaming revenue used to fund Tribal government programs and services.
Cherokee Nation citizen and Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town VP of Economic Development Michael Stopp addressed the partnership at the time of announcement, however, stating “prediction markets are part of the economic future.”
“Sovereignty cannot mean protecting opportunity for the haves while closing the door on the have-nots,” Stopp claimed.
Currently, Kalshi has yet to respond to the Tribe’s statement denying any collaboration with the operator, and has not removed the announcement regarding the two’s partnership at the time of writing.
Global Gaming Insider previously analyzed what the partnerships meant for the reputational pendulum of prediction markets and what course of action Tribal organizations may take to further combat the collaborations.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. entered into a partnership with Kalshi on October 8, becoming the first active Major League Baseball player to endorse a prediction market platform
