IDF reservist and civilian indicted for using classified info to place bets on Polymarket

An IDF reservist and a civilian have been indicted for using classified information to place bets regarding military operations on the popular Polymarket prediction market, authorities announce.

The investigation, conducted jointly by the Defense Ministry, Shin Bet, and Israel Police, led to the arrest of several suspects — including reservists — who allegedly placed bets on Polymarket “based on classified information to which the reservists were exposed by virtue of their military roles,” a joint statement says.

Indictments have been filed against one reservist and one civilian for “severe security offenses,” as well as bribery and obstruction of justice, authorities say.

Further details surrounding the case remain barred from publication under a court-issued gag order.

“The defense establishment emphasizes that placing such bets, based on secret and classified information, poses a real security risk to IDF operations and to the security of the state,” the joint statement says, adding that authorities view “the acts attributed to the defendants with utmost severity and will act decisively to thwart and bring to justice anyone involved in the unlawful use of classified information.”

Last month, the Kan public broadcaster revealed that the Shin Bet was examining a suspicion that someone within the defense establishment was using classified information in order to place bets on Polymarket.

A user who went by the name ricosuave666 placed several bets in June 2025 with striking accuracy regarding Israeli military operations in Iran, wagering tens of thousands of dollars and making a profit of around $150,000.

Polymarket is one of the largest prediction markets in the world. The commercial use of prediction markets has skyrocketed in recent years, opening the door for people to wager their money on the likelihood of a growing list of future events.

But despite some eye-catching windfalls, traders still lose money every day. There have been accusations of manipulations and insider trading by users of the platform.