Suspected Ballon d’Or leak puts Europe’s prediction-market rules under scrutiny
On 23 October, twelve Polymarket accounts reportedly wagered $264,000 on the exact order of the 2026 Ballon d’Or men’s top five, three days before the ceremony; six allegedly bet within 15 minutes of account creation. France Football reportedly contacted police, who opened an investigation, while French lawyer William O’Rorke said EU insider-trading rules may not cover bets on prize awards. This has renewed scrutiny of Europe’s prediction-market rules.
The case highlights uncertainty over how gambling and financial rules apply to prediction-market wagers.