French police investigate suspected insider betting on Ballon d’Or result
Enforcement & compliance1 min read
French police are investigating suspected insider trading linked to bets on the Ballon d’Or result, with activity reported on Polymarket. A media report said 12 accounts correctly predicted the top five in order, with about €250,000 staked and nearly €200,000 in net winnings; the organiser said it was investigating and intended to notify the authorities.
French police have opened an investigation into suspected insider trading linked to bets on the Ballon d’Or result. Investigators identified suspicious activity on cryptocurrency-based prediction platform Polymarket.
Twelve Polymarket accounts reportedly placed bets that correctly predicted the top five players in order: Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi. About €250,000 was reportedly staked on the bets, yielding nearly €200,000 in net winnings. Investigators said the bettors’ management of their positions, as well as the high rate of correct predictions, pointed to possible insider trading.
Organiser France Football was reportedly alerted to the betting activity before the result was announced. After the ceremony, it began its own inquiries and contacted the SCCJ, the French police unit responsible for gambling. A France Football spokesperson said the organiser took allegations of leaked results and potentially criminal betting activity seriously. The organiser said it was filing a complaint with the authorities and could not provide further details while investigations continued.
Several US states have taken legal action over prediction markets’ involvement in sports betting.