(PRESS RELEASE) -- Today, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order to protect the integrity of state government from prediction markets and addressed ongoing efforts to resolve correctional officer staffing shortages.
In reaction to a dramatic increase nationwide in the volume of trades on prediction markets, Governor Stein signed an executive order today that establishes ethics guardrails by prohibiting state employees from using information they gained at work to participate in prediction markets. Executive Order No. 37 serves as an extension of the North Carolina State Ethics Act, a law prohibiting public servants from using or disclosing nonpublic information gained through their official responsibilities toward their own personal financial interest.
“When people use nonpublic information gained at work to get an unfair advantage, it erodes public trust," said Governor Josh Stein. “This executive order guarantees that our state government will lead with integrity."
In 2025, the prediction market trading was estimated at $63.5 billion in volume, a 300% increase from 2024.
Specifically, the executive order prohibits state employees from:
- Using the nonpublic information they gain at work to participate in prediction markets for their personal financial benefit, or to assist someone else in their participation in prediction markets;
- Letting their bets influence their job responsibilities;
- Participating in prediction market transactions substantially related to their work or responsibilities, or transactions directly related to the work of their employing agency; and
- Using state resources to participate in prediction markets.
A violation may result in disciplinary action as permitted under relevant state employment law and may be referred to the State Ethics Commission and/or law enforcement.