Polymarket paid dozens of social media creators to film fake bets and simulate winning on near-perfect copies of its prediction market website from January to May 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported in June 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Over 1,100 videos were reviewed, and none of the bets shown were real; many used dummy sites with URLs similar to polymarket.com to appear legitimate [2, 3, 4]. One prominent creator, George Makihara, posted 145 videos depicting false winning bets as part of the campaign [1].
Creators were given detailed instructions on scripting their videos, often showing consistent templates where they placed bets and celebrated winnings referred to as "free money" [1, 3, 4]. In total, 118 videos showed fake winnings adding up to nearly $900,000, but the actual bets would have lost about $166,000 if real [2]. Many creators started adding "@polymarket partner" to their bios only after journalists began probing the scheme [3].
The promotional videos were amplified by a marketing contractor who deployed a social-media army to repost the deceptive content and boost its viral reach [3, 4]. After the Wall Street Journal’s investigation became public, many creators removed the fabricated videos, and Polymarket took down the dummy sites used in the scheme [2].
Polymarket’s main platform was barred by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission from operating in the United States in 2022, but users often bypass the ban using VPNs [1]. Polymarket has pledged to ensure its markets remain "accurate, fair, and transparent" and announced plans to audit its promotional content following the revelations [3].
Prediction markets continue to face global regulatory scrutiny. Minnesota banned such markets in May 2026, becoming the first US state to do so, while Spain blocked Polymarket and another platform that same month pending detailed gambling law reviews [4].
Collegiate creator Razeen Khan defended the videos by saying, "We’re depicting what actually happens," a claim contradicted by the WSJ’s findings [3]. The next key step will be Polymarket's planned audit of its promotional material and any further regulatory actions expected as governments tighten oversight of online prediction markets.
