[North Carolina to Impose 6% Tax on Prediction Markets, Recognizes Federal Jurisdiction] (According to Bitcoin.com) North Carolina's signed budget bill adopts a distinctly different regulatory approach for prediction markets and sports betting. Starting January 1, 2027, the state will impose a 6% tax on net transaction fee revenue from prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, but explicitly will not require them to obtain a state license, effectively recognizing the federal regulatory authority of the CFTC. At the same time, the state will increase the tax rate on sports betting from 18% to 23%. North Carolina becomes the first state to acknowledge the legality of CFTC-registered prediction markets while refusing to impose state-level licensing requirements. In contrast, Kentucky (14.25% consumption tax) and Illinois (which incorporates prediction markets into the sports betting regulatory framework) have chosen to confront the platforms and face litigation.