North Carolina Budget Sets 6% Tax on Prediction Markets Starting January 1, 2027

North Carolina has signed a budget that adopts a distinct regulatory approach for prediction market platforms. According to Odaily, starting January 1, 2027, the state will impose a 6% tax on net transaction fee revenue from prediction market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket, while not requiring them to obtain a state license, effectively recognizing the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s federal regulatory authority. Odaily reported that North Carolina is the first state to acknowledge the legality of CFTC-registered prediction markets while declining to impose state-level licensing requirements. In contrast, Kentucky has chosen to levy a 14.25% excise tax and is facing litigation.