Kalshi Announces New ‘Safeguards’ to Prevent Underage Use

Kalshi, a popular prediction market app, has recently announced new measures to prevent underage gambling on its platform. The company introduced default face ID verification as a way to ensure that users are who they claim to be and are of legal age to participate in the app’s activities.

The decision to implement these safeguards comes as reports show an increasing number of teenagers engaging in online gambling using their parents’ or siblings’ identities. A survey conducted by Common Sense Media revealed that 36% of boys aged 11 to 17 admitted to gambling in the past year. This alarming trend has prompted lawmakers to take action, with the bipartisan Prediction Market Act of 2026 proposing age verification requirements to protect vulnerable consumers from predatory practices.

In response to this legislation, Kalshi released a statement acknowledging the need for stricter age verification measures. The company stated that they are proactively implementing the measures outlined in the bill to stay ahead of regulatory changes. Face identification will now be a default verification step for users who have enabled Face ID on their devices. Additionally, parents are encouraged to activate Face ID to prevent minors from accessing their accounts.

Despite these new safeguards, critics of Kalshi remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures. The company’s partnerships with influencers and marketing strategies targeting teenagers continue to be scrutinized. James Steyer, the founder of Common Sense Media, emphasized that youth gambling is a growing national concern and highlighted the pervasive influence of social media and peer pressure in teenagers’ gambling habits.

Teenagers are increasingly exposed to prediction market advertising through various channels, including social media and sports sponsorships. For example, Kalshi recently became the jersey sponsor for the Baller League USA, a soccer competition featuring celebrities, former pros, and influencers. This level of exposure raises concerns about the impact of gambling advertisements on young audiences and underscores the importance of implementing stringent age verification measures to protect vulnerable consumers.