Polymarket funded dozens of social media creators to post videos of simulated bets on cloned websites, according to a Wall Street Journal investigation. The promotion aimed to attract users to its prediction market platform despite US restrictions.
The Journal reported that creators filmed themselves appearing to win large sums on Polymarket, including one video showing a $100,000 payout on a bet about President Trump saying the word “McDonald’s.” Trade data confirmed no such wins occurred on the real platform in January.
Polymarket built near-identical test sites, such as poiymarket.com, and instructed creators to hide payments while making posts seem organic. The company paid selected creators between $2,000 and $3,000 monthly and required videos to be reshot if they looked obviously fake.
The campaign generated more than 140 million views across TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Polymarket stated it is conducting a comprehensive audit of its promotional content to ensure compliance with standards and regulations.
Polymarket’s main platform has been unavailable to US users since a 2022 CFTC ruling, though the firm offers a regulated version through a mobile app and is seeking broader approval.
