Mystic Totems

What is Mystic Totems?

The CGMC reviewed a draft of the new evaluation framework during a meeting chaired by Secretary General Yeth Vinel on 4 September. 

The proposed “integrity and quality” framework aims to establish minimum conditions that operators must meet to maintain or obtain a licence, signalling a strengthening of oversight in the sector. The details of the scoring criteria and an official implementation date remain unpublished.

The timing of regulatory tightening coincides with a vigorous government campaign against scams and illicit financial activities linked to casinos. 

What is Mystic Totems?

The 62-minute hearing featuring Kalshi and a prominent lobbyist from the American Gaming Association provided a blueprint for the state’s evaluation of prediction markets next year. Before the calendar turns to 2027, though, stakeholders will monitor races for governor, attorney general and the US Senate on election night. The results in all three Texas races will likely have a major impact on the future of prediction markets inside the state.

Convened by Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes, the hearing in the Senate Committee on State Affairs examined the relationship between federally regulated derivatives markets and state-prohibited gambling. Research from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming in April found that 43% of activity from sports event contracts came from two states, Texas and California. A separate breakout of Texas activity alone is not publicly available.

At Tuesday’s hearing, AGA Vice President Tres York testified before the committee alongside Robert DeNault, head of enforcement and legal counsel at Kalshi. The AGA, one of the nation’s most strident critics of prediction markets, argued that an event contract on the Cowboys to beat the Giants does not differ fundamentally from the same wager placed at a sportsbook.

What is Mystic Totems?

Kalshi enforced penalties under multiple exchange rules designed to mirror federal market regulations. These include prohibitions on trading when a participant can influence the outcome of an event, trading on material non-public information and engaging in manipulative or fraudulent practices.

The sanctions, effective from 28 August 2026 , bar Santos from any direct or indirect trading access on Kalshi.

Earlier this year, fellow prediction market platform Polymarket also ended its paid relationship with Santos amid a Department of Justice investigation over whether he had placed a wager on his appearance at the same State of Union address.