Polymarket has been compensating online influencers to produce misleading videos that feature fabricated, high-stakes bets on its prediction platform, according to a new investigation by The Wall Street Journal. The report reveals that the company orchestrated these campaigns to simulate lucrative trading success, raising significant questions regarding the platform’s marketing ethics.
Deception Through Digital Facsimiles
The WSJ’s analysis covered 1,100 videos linked to Polymarket, alongside instructional materials provided by the company to its content creators. Many of these clips were filmed using “near-perfect copies” of the actual Polymarket interface. These mock-ups displayed fake trades and winnings, creating an illusion of profitability. To maximize reach, these deceptive videos were then amplified by a “social-media army” managed by a third-party marketing contractor.
Hidden Partnerships and Transparency Issues
Internal guidance reportedly directed creators to omit disclosures regarding their paid partnership with Polymarket. The lack of transparency persisted until journalists began raising inquiries, at which point creators started appending “@polymarket partner” to their social media bios.
The Creator Perspective
Razeen Khan, a college student and creator who collaborated with Polymarket until March, defended the practice by likening it to standard food industry advertising. He argued that these staged videos merely represent the potential outcomes of the platform, stating, “We’re depicting what actually happens.”
Polymarket’s Response
In response to the allegations, Polymarket stated it remains “committed to maintaining accurate, fair, and transparent markets.” The company further confirmed that it plans to conduct an internal audit of all its promotional content to address these concerns.
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