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Google has prohibited advertising for prediction market contracts and related products in Connecticut, making it the fifth US state excluded from its prediction market advertising program.
The restriction took effect on October 7, 2026, adding to existing exclusions in Nevada, Ohio, Michigan, and New York. Google's current policy page confirms all five exclusions.
Prediction markets let users trade contracts tied to future events, including sports results, elections, and economic developments.
Google opened advertising to eligible providers on January 21, 2026, requiring certification for exchanges designated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and qualifying brokerages authorized by the National Futures Association (NFA).
Connecticut's regulatory dispute
The change follows action by Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection, which issued cease-and-desist orders to nine companies on September 10.
Those named included Polymarket, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Crypto.com. State officials alleged that the companies offered sports event contracts or other unlicensed online gambling to Connecticut residents.
A federal judge ruled in August that sports event contracts constituted unlicensed gambling not protected by federal commodities law, according to the governor's office. The region also pursued legal action against prediction market operators.
Google has not publicly explained why it added Connecticut to its exclusion list, so a direct causal link between the state actions and the policy change cannot be confirmed.
Casino and betting advertising on digital platforms
Advertising platforms apply different eligibility rules to gambling-related content, so operators must understand the requirements for their chosen channels.
A PPC casino strategy must account for permitted markets, campaign eligibility, and keyword targeting, while PPC betting campaigns must also reflect the rules that apply to the advertised services.
Before launching a Google Ads betting campaign, operators need to understand platform policies and confirm their services meet the relevant requirements.
Beyond eligibility, a PPC casino campaign can focus on relevant search terms, landing page quality, and measurable acquisition costs.
Because advertising eligibility varies by product and market, PPC betting strategies require careful consideration of where campaigns can run. Marketers using Google Ads betting should verify the current requirements for their specific services before launching or expanding campaigns.
