Israeli authorities have charged an Israel Defense Forces reservist and a civilian for allegedly using classified military information to place bets on the prediction market platform Polymarket.
Use of Classified Information
The case follows a joint investigation by the Defense Ministry, Shin Bet, and the Israel Police, which led to multiple arrests, including other reservists. Prosecutors claim that the reservists exploited sensitive information from their military duties to bet on future military developments.
Charges include serious security violations, bribery, and obstruction of justice. A court gag order currently prevents further details from being disclosed, including operational specifics and the full list of individuals involved.
Authorities emphasized that betting based on classified intelligence poses a serious threat to military operations and national security. Officials said the matter is being treated with the highest severity and that anyone misusing secret material will face decisive action.
Suspicious Betting Activity
The investigation began after the Shin Bet examined suspicions of insider betting on Polymarket. Attention focused on a user account called “ricosuave666,” which reportedly placed highly accurate bets in June 2025 on Israeli military operations in Iran. The account allegedly wagered tens of thousands of dollars, earning an estimated profit of around 150,000 dollars.
Market Manipulation Concerns
Polymarket has grown in popularity among both casual traders and high-profile figures, such as Vitalik Buterin.
