By Bill Lucia | Editor
The online “prediction market” company Kalshi will have to stop offering many wagers now available on its platform in Washington, under a state court order issued this week. A King County judge concluded that Kalshi is likely violating the state’s gambling laws. If the company doesn’t comply within the next couple of weeks and block users in Washington, it could face fines of $120,000 per day. Kalshi argues its platform should be exclusively regulated by the federal government.
Also in today’s edition…
A state House candidate arrested on suspicion of driving impaired.
And, a plan to meet rising electricity demand in the region.
News tips, feedback, questions? Email us: [email protected]
By Jake Goldstein-Street
Kalshi wagers on sports, elections, entertainment, culture, tech and science are among those the court ruling blocks. Those related to commodities, climate, economics and finance will still be permitted. Online gambling is mostly banned in Washington, with exceptions for sports wagering on tribal lands and in-person sports bets at tribal casinos.
“Kalshi has gotten rich promoting wagers on sports, elections, natural disasters, events related to the Iran War, and more,” said Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown, who sued the company. “As this case moves forward, we will continue to enforce Washington law and hold Kalshi accountable for misleading consumers.”
A company spokesperson said Kalshi is “considering all legal options.”
Kalshi is facing similar legal challenges in other states. The Trump administration is also involved. On Tuesday, the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission told Kalshi to continue operating, after a federal judge rejected the company’s attempts to fight a lawsuit filed by the New York state attorney general that aims to shut down Kalshi nationwide.
Krista Perez, who’s running for a state House seat representing the Tacoma-area’s 29th District. (Photo courtesy of the Krista Perez campaign)
By Jerry Cornfield and Jake Goldstein-Street
Tacoma police arrested a progressive candidate for the state Legislature on suspicion of impaired driving this week. Krista Perez was reportedly booked into jail in Pierce County just past 7:30 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of driving while intoxicated, a gross misdemeanor. She was released six hours later, according to jail records.
The arrest came just a week after Perez made a strong showing in the primary race for a House seat in the 29th District. She leads incumbent state Rep. Melanie Morgan, D-Parkland, by over two percentage points, or nearly 400 votes. The race is seen as a test of whether a progressive challenger can unseat a more moderate Democrat. The district covers most of south and east Tacoma, Parkland, Spanaway, and parts of Lakewood.
Perez didn’t respond to requests for comment. But an attorney issued a statement from campaign consultants that acknowledged “an investigation pertaining to an uncharged case” and said the situation isn’t deterring Perez from continuing her run.
(Photo by Clinton Carpenter/Bonneville Power Administration)
By Aspen Ford
The Pacific Northwest will need a massive buildout of new energy infrastructure over the next six years to meet rising electricity demand, according to a draft regional power plan released Thursday.
Implementing the plan will cost approximately $2.3 billion. And the rate of building will need to quicken to make it happen by 2032.
Last year, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council forecast regional electricity demand to increase anywhere from 50% to 100% over the next 20 years. That’s largely due to data centers, the electrification of vehicles and buildings, and population growth.
ICYMI
WA revenue officials: Income tax will bring in more money than first expected | by Jerry Cornfield
Washington poised to elect its first openly trans legislator | by Jake Goldstein-Street
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