Texas Lawmaker Files Prediction Market Age-Limit Bill for 2027 Session

Texas Representative Salman Bhojani has introduced early-filed legislation that would establish 21 as the minimum age for prediction market trading activities in the state. The pre-filing, submitted before the January 2027 legislative session convenes, signals emerging regulatory concern about the rapidly-expanding prediction market sector and its accessibility to younger users.

Prediction markets—platforms allowing users to trade on outcomes of events ranging from sports to politics—have grown substantially outside traditional gaming regulatory frameworks. Unlike sports betting and online gambling, prediction markets operate in a regulatory gray zone with minimal age verification requirements in most jurisdictions.

The proposed Texas law represents one of the first legislative attempts to impose formal age restrictions on prediction market platforms. Similar restrictions apply to traditional casino gaming and sports betting in Texas, but prediction markets have operated largely without age limitations comparable to regulated gaming products.

Bhojani's legislation reflects growing policy concern about prediction market accessibility to minors. Proponents of age restrictions argue that trading platforms targeting financial outcomes carry similar youth protection justifications as traditional gaming regulation. Prediction market operators and libertarian-leaning policymakers contend that age-neutral prediction markets serve legitimate price-discovery functions distinct from gambling.

The timing of the pre-filing—before the formal January session start—suggests the representative intends to prioritize the measure. Early filing creates momentum for legislation, signaling co-sponsor recruitment and committee assignment priorities to legislative leadership.

Texas prediction market platforms and financial trading applications have not yet publicly responded to the proposed legislation. Early industry indication will likely emerge as the legislative session approaches and committee assignments become finalized.

If enacted, Texas would join a growing list of states exploring prediction market regulation. The measure could pressure other states to establish comparable guardrails, or alternatively may prompt prediction market platforms to implement voluntary age restrictions ahead of formal mandate.