A neutral, dated look at whether ForecastEx reaches Washington, the state with the country's strictest online gambling laws. As of February 2026, eligible Washington adults can trade its economics, politics and climate event contracts through Interactive Brokers on a federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission footing, while its sports event contracts sit inside an active state lawsuit. Information, not advice. As of February 2026.
Last reviewed 28 February 2026 · Status as of February 2026 · Information, not legal advice
As of February 2026, an eligible Washington adult can trade ForecastEx economics, politics and climate event contracts through Interactive Brokers on a federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission footing rather than a state licence. Sports event contracts are the contested part: Washington has the strictest online gambling laws in the country and sued Kalshi in 2026, alleging sports event contracts are illegal gambling. ForecastEx restricts sports event contracts by location where a state asserts gaming jurisdiction, and Washington has asserted it. Confirm the current product list and your eligibility on the platform before you act.
ForecastEx is a federally registered Designated Contract Market and clearing organization, launched in 2024 as an Interactive Brokers company. Its economics, politics and climate contracts rest on federal commodities law and reach all 50 states, including Washington. Sports event contracts, which ForecastEx self certified in late 2025, are different: Washington treats sports event contracts as unlicensed gambling and has sued over the category. So the core list is available while the sports menu may be blocked by location. Confirm your eligibility on the platform.
ForecastEx is a Commodity Futures Trading Commission registered Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization. It launched in 2024 as an Interactive Brokers company, and eligible United States residents reach its markets through an Interactive Brokers account rather than a separate venue. Because the registration is federal, it is not granted or withheld state by state, which is why ForecastEx reaches Washington at all.
The contracts are straightforward. Each ForecastEx contract is a yes or no claim about a future event, drawn from economics, politics and climate, priced between one cent and ninety nine cents, and settling at one dollar or zero once the outcome is known. Per ForecastEx, the platform charges one cent per contract as of February 2026, built into the price so the cost is visible up front. Always confirm the current fee and contract list on the platform before trading.
The contested part is sports. Washington runs the most restrictive online gambling regime in the country and treats most online wagering as unlawful. ForecastEx self certified sports event contracts in late 2025, and Washington sued Kalshi in 2026, a suit filed in King County Superior Court by the state attorney general, alleging that sports event contracts are illegal gambling. That action targets the sports category rather than the core event contracts, and the broader question of whether federally listed event contracts override state gambling law is unresolved, so we mark it contested rather than settled.
For a Washington reader the practical line is this. The economics, politics and climate event contracts are available on a federal footing through Interactive Brokers, subject to age and eligibility checks. The sports menu may be blocked by location while the dispute runs, because ForecastEx restricts sports contracts where a state asserts gaming jurisdiction, and Washington has done so firmly. The list below sets out federally regulated venues a Washington resident can look at, with the same caution about sports products.
ForecastEx is listed because its core event contracts serve eligible Washington adults as of February 2026 as a CFTC registered Designated Contract Market, accessed via Interactive Brokers. Sports event contracts are contested in Washington and may be blocked by location. Scores are illustrative editorial examples. Confirm the current position and your eligibility before opening an account.
As of February 2026, an eligible Washington adult can trade ForecastEx economics, politics and climate event contracts through Interactive Brokers on a federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission footing. Washington has the strictest online gambling laws in the country and sued Kalshi in 2026 over sports event contracts, so the sports menu is the contested part. This is general information, not legal advice.
Washington bans most online gambling and sued Kalshi in 2026, alleging its sports event contracts are illegal gambling under state law. ForecastEx restricts sports event contracts by location where a state asserts gaming jurisdiction, and Washington has asserted it. The economics, politics and climate contracts rest on the federal footing, which is a separate question.
Eligible United States residents reach ForecastEx through Interactive Brokers, which lists ForecastEx event contracts inside its platform. You complete the broker's account and eligibility checks; there is no separate Washington registration for the exchange itself.
The core list is economics, politics and climate event contracts, each a yes or no claim priced between one cent and ninety nine cents that settles at one dollar or zero. Sports event contracts may be blocked by location given Washington's posture. Confirm the current product list on the platform before you trade.
You must be 18 or older and complete the identity and eligibility checks applied through Interactive Brokers. Read the current terms before funding an account, because eligibility conditions and the available contract list can change.
Available or not, prediction markets can lose you money, and a contract price is an implied probability, not a prediction. Stake only what you can afford to lose, never to chase a loss, and never on borrowed money. If it stops feeling like a free choice, step back. You must be 18+ or the legal age in your region. In Washington and across the United States you can call or text 1-800-GAMBLER or visit ncpgambling.org.
The availability position above rests on ForecastEx's federal registration and on 2026 reporting on Washington's lawsuit. Confirm it yourself before you act, because terms and the contract list can change.
Status as of February 2026. General information, not legal advice.