Kalshi to launch ‘portal for parents’ to curb underage use: Report
Prediction-market firm Kalshi has announced new measures to prevent minors from accessing its platform, including steps to identify the misuse of parental identification and improve identity checks.
Speaking at the Semafor World Economy Conference earlier this week, co-founder and CEO Tarek Mansour said the company is targeting a common method used by underage users to bypass restrictions by using a parent’s ID to set up accounts.
Parent portal to detect misuse of identification
Mansour said Kalshi is introducing a dedicated system that allows parents to check whether their personal information is being used without their knowledge.
“We are launching a portal for parents to basically submit their identification, even if they don’t want to be users of Kalshi, to see if someone is using it. Because then they can see if their children are using their ID and police it,” he said.
The feature is designed to work independently of the platform’s user base, meaning individuals do not need to hold an account to verify whether their identity has been used. This aims to give parents direct visibility and control in cases where their details may have been misused to bypass age restrictions.
AI selfie checks added to verification process
Along with the parent portal, Kalshi is adding image-based checks to its onboarding process. Users will have to upload a selfie when signing up, which AI will review to match it with their ID.
“We are also adding selfies to accounts, where you can basically look at the face of a person, and it can tell you obviously if this person is not the actual parent that’s 50 years old. But there’s a lot more to do,” Mansour said.
The introduction of AI verification is part of wider efforts across digital platforms to improve identity checks and reduce misuse. It also reflects developments in the United States, where jurisdictions such as New York are looking at biometric tools to ensure users meet legal age requirements before accessing betting or similar services.
“Family accounts” to promote accountability
Mansour also outlined plans to introduce a social monitoring feature aimed at encouraging responsible behaviour among users. The concept, described as “family accounts”, would allow groups of users to track each other’s activity on the platform.
We are “launching this kind of notion of family accounts where people can track each others’ activity,” he said.
He added that the intention is to create a layer of accountability within close social circles. “How do we kind of create a sort of accountability structure amongst friends and families for people to be like, ‘Hey, you might be doing a little too much here,’” he continued. “We want this to be a tool for good, not a tool for excessive behaviours.”
The feature is under development and is intended to allow users to monitor and flag activity within their trusted networks to help address concerns about excessive use.
Regulatory framework and ongoing tensions
Kalshi operates under a regulatory framework that differs from that applied to traditional betting operators. Prediction markets in the United States fall under the oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), rather than state-level gaming regulators. Under this framework, participants must be at least 18 years old.
The CFTC requires platforms such as Kalshi to comply with know-your-customer rules and verify user identities. These obligations are intended to ensure that platforms are not misused and to prevent issues such as insider trading.
However, enforcement priorities have drawn attention. David Miller, director of enforcement at the CFTC, said last month that efforts are not focused on prioritising technical violations, but rather on those who deliberately choose to break the rules.
Despite federal oversight, the regulatory model for prediction markets remains under debate. State regulators have said that platforms such as Kalshi should come under their authority, similar to sportsbooks, which follow stricter licensing and compliance rules.
This tension has resulted in legal challenges in several states. Montana is among the latest to seek restrictions on Kalshi’s products, leading to ongoing litigation. The outcome of these cases may shape how prediction markets are regulated across the country.
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