Polymarket apologizes for allowing wagers on fate of U.S. pilots downed in Iran

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/polymarket-apologizes-allowing-wagers-fate-us-pilots-downed-iran-rcna266715

Prediction market platform Polymarket issued an apology for allowing users to place bets on the fate of American pilots aboard a U.S. fighter jet downed over Iran.

A two-seater F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down on Friday, according to a U.S. official. One crew member was rescued, but the other remains missing.

In a since-deleted market, users were able to wager on when the pilots might be rescued, with the majority predicting a Saturday rescue.

“US confirms pilots rescued by...?” the market read.

153 points · 22 comments · view on lemmy.world

22 Comments

leftascenter@jlai.lu · 55 pts · 147d (3 replies)
jeffw@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 147d (2 replies)

Note that none of these (that I saw) included anything about the number of casualties, fatalities, the fate of any specific individual, etc.

Not saying I agree, but I imagine that’s their “line in the sand”

phutatorius@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 146d (1 reply)

Their line in the sand is entirely public-relations-driven.

Armok_the_bunny@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 143d

I mean, that's at least better than no line at all... wait, why am I defending these pieces of shit!?

ChadGPT2@lemmy.world · 32 pts · 147d (2 replies)

Polymarket is inherently unethical and should be banned. There’s no sense trying to draw a line anywhere. The whole endeavor is a perverse mockery of the human experience.

Doubleohdonut@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 146d (1 reply)

"Prediction market" is so frustrating to hear when it's apparently pronounced "another legalized grift"

phutatorius@lemmy.zip · 6 pts · 146d

It's gambling, just as a "prediction market" on the outcome of football games is. Regulate it as such.

RagingRobot@lemmy.world · 31 pts · 147d (2 replies)

I don't see how that's any different from letting people bet on other stuff that they allow

Chee_Koala@lemmy.world · 20 pts · 147d

Yeah, why even apologize? This is what they do.

phutatorius@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 146d

It can influence political events, and any coverage of those events. Reporters have already received death threats for writing news that didn't support an outcome that'd cause someone's bet to pay off.

phoenixz@lemmy.ca · 16 pts · 146d

Wages on how many children will die in a genocide? All fine

A (possible) single US military death?

Oohhh, I'm so sorry

mrgoosmoos@lemmy.ca · 15 pts · 146d

oh, this is where the line is?

MrSelfDestruct25@fedinsfw.app · 13 pts · 147d

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phutatorius@lemmy.zip · 10 pts · 146d (2 replies)

Polymarket creates a dangerous feedback loop, financially incentivizing certain political outcomes. It should be shut down.

GreenBeanMachine@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 146d
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GreenBeanMachine@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 146d
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muxika@piefed.muxika.org · 9 pts · 147d

Betting on someone's escape or capture is how we get Bachman's The Running Man

BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 147d

"It's cool."

- Republicans

core@leminal.space · 4 pts · 146d

They're sorry someone complained

tgcoldrockn@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 146d

It's clear gambling is destructive to peoples lives, why put on airs? This is the insincere time warner two finger nipple rub.

KulunkelBoom@lemmus.org · 3 pts · 146d

Trump's boys. Criminal shit bags just like their daddy.

Rentlar@lemmy.ca · 3 pts · 146d

I wonder if anyone's "Trump converts to Islam on Easter Sunday" bet has paid out...

GreenBeanMachine@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 146d
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evenglow@lemmy.world · -1 pts · 147d

Stock market doesn't like competition.

kokesh@lemmy.world · -3 pts · 147d

So we can't bet on the odds of a terrorist being captured?