Israeli Air Force Major Accused of Betting $160,000 on Iran Bombing Using Classified Secrets
An Israeli air force major is facing serious charges after allegedly using highly classified military information to place bets on the timing of Israel's bombing campaign against Iran, raking in more than $160,000 in illicit winnings. The reservist officer is accused of tipping off a civilian accomplice about the launch of strikes, enabling the pair to place winning bets on the Polymarket prediction platform ahead of the military operation.
Court Hears Details of Confidential Briefing and Betting Scheme
A court in Tel Aviv heard that the major had been briefed on the planned assault at a confidential meeting a day before Israel's opening strikes on June 13, 2025. Prosecutors assert that he then passed on these sensitive operational details, allowing his civilian partner to gamble on precisely when the bombing campaign would commence. According to the indictment, when Israeli warplanes were en route to Iran, the officer allegedly provided further real-time updates, helping to refine the bet for maximum profit.
The duo are accused of pocketing a total of $162,663 in winnings, which they agreed to split, with the reservist's share transferred via cryptocurrency to obscure the trail. They were indicted last month on grave security offences, alongside charges of bribery and obstruction of justice, after a gag order on the case was partially lifted by authorities.
Scheme Extended Beyond Initial Strike into Full Conflict
Authorities reveal that the betting scheme continued well beyond the initial strike. The pair allegedly placed further wagers on key moments during the subsequent 12-day war, including correctly predicting when the conflict would ultimately conclude, before they were eventually arrested earlier this year. In a separate incident in September 2025, the reservist is also accused of leaking details of a planned Israeli strike in Yemen, earning the pair thousands more dollars in profits.
Their audacious activities reportedly continued into January, when they attempted another bet on a fresh escalation with Iran. However, they cancelled this wager after concerns were raised online about the suspicious account activity. Fearing exposure, the civilian accomplice allegedly altered his profile and deleted WhatsApp messages exchanged between the two, in a bid to cover their tracks.
Prosecutors Seek Detention as Military Condemns 'Severe Ethical Failure'
Prosecutors have formally requested the Tel Aviv District Court to keep both suspects in custody until the end of legal proceedings, citing the seriousness of the charges. Following the indictment last month, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement, saying it viewed the case 'gravely,' but stressed that 'no operational harm was caused' by the alleged actions.
'This constitutes a severe ethical failure and a clear crossing of a red line,' the military declared at the time, adding that the alleged behaviour 'are not in line with IDF values and what is expected of servicemembers.'
Polymarket Platform Under Scrutiny for Insider Trading Risks
Polymarket is one of the world's largest prediction betting sites, where users can stake money on everything from election outcomes to military conflicts using cryptocurrency and bank payments. These fast-growing platforms have exploded in popularity in recent years, allowing punters to gamble on the results of major global events.
However, they have also faced mounting criticism over the risk of insider trading, with concerns that some users could profit from privileged or classified information. Polymarket, in particular, has come under intense scrutiny after a series of well-timed bets ahead of military actions in Iran and Venezuela.
Some users appeared to make significant profits by correctly predicting strikes before they were publicly announced, raising serious questions about how they obtained such precise information. This case highlights the growing challenges in regulating these platforms and preventing the misuse of sensitive intelligence for personal gain.
