Polymarket removes market on Cornell rape case after criticism

Polymarket removed a prediction market on whether one of seven Cornell University students would face criminal charges over an alleged rape, which cited RTL Nieuws among others. The market appeared on Polymarket on 30 September and was removed on 19 October, after $451,633 in trading volume had been recorded.

Users could trade on whether at least one of the seven men would be charged by 31 January 2027 with a serious sexual offence carrying a heavy penalty. The market related to a civil lawsuit filed on 16 September by a woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe. She alleges she was drugged in October 2024 and then raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity. She sued the seven men as well as Cornell University and the fraternity. The case includes allegations of sexual violence and negligence. The allegations have not been proven in criminal proceedings.

Cornell investigated the events at the time and says it imposed sanctions, including suspensions and removals from the university. The local prosecutor decided in 2024 not to file criminal charges, but the investigation has since been reopened.

The market drew criticism from advocacy organisations and others campaigning against sexual violence, who objected to a case of alleged gang rape being used as the subject of a market on which users could make money. Criticism also focused on well-known current and former athletes who promote Polymarket, among them basketball player LeBron James, former baseball player Derek Jeter, former American football players Eli Manning, Richard Sherman and Reggie Bush, and former basketball player Sue Bird. Representatives of the athletes did not respond directly to requests for comment from the US outlet Front Office Sports.

A Polymarket spokesperson initially defended the market, stating that prediction markets can provide insight into important events and legal developments. After the criticism, the platform removed the market. Polymarket has previously faced criticism over other markets on sensitive subjects; users could earlier trade on whether the kidnapper of Nancy Guthrie would be arrested. Competitor Kalshi also drew criticism over markets on the death or departure of political leaders.