Polymarket Accused of Using Fake Wagers to Fuel Influencer Marketing

The investigation reviewed 1,105 videos produced by ten creators between December 2025 and mid-May, finding that 70% featured non-existent wagers. In one instance, a video by student George Makihara claimed a $100,000 profit on a bet regarding Donald Trump saying "McDonald's," using footage recorded months before the wager's resolution. These fabricated positions, hosted on a domain designed to mimic the official platform, would have resulted in $166,000 in actual losses had they been placed in live markets.

Creators were reportedly paid between $2,000 and $3,000 monthly by marketing contractor Virality, with instructions to conceal their financial ties to the platform. The firm also incentivized creators to prioritize American audiences, despite the 2022 Commodity Futures Trading Commission settlement that prevents Polymarket from offering primary services to U.S. residents. While Polymarket has pledged a comprehensive audit of its promotional content, the platform faces mounting pressure from state-level legal challenges, including a recent lawsuit from Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman regarding unlicensed sports betting products. These marketing allegations follow earlier reports that the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Matthew Modabber, funneled over $350,000 to influencers through personal payment accounts.