A US soldier involved in the January capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has been arrested for allegedly making more than $400,000 through bets on a prediction market. Gannon Ken Van Dyke faces up to 60 years in prison on charges including wire fraud and misuse of confidential government information.
Prosecutors allege that Van Dyke, who was involved in planning the military operation from early December, placed 13 bets on Polymarket between early December and early January. The wagers related to an American invasion of Venezuela and the removal of its leader.
FBI assistant director James C Barnacle Jr said the alleged betting was a betrayal of fellow soldiers. Acting attorney general Todd Blanche stated that service members are trusted with classified information and must not use it for personal gain. FBI director Kash Patel confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
Polymarket said it had referred a user trading on classified information to the Department of Justice, adding that 'insider trading has no place on Polymarket'. The arrest follows scrutiny of prediction markets, with three US congressional candidates fined by Kalshi for betting on their own races. President Donald Trump, when asked about the case, compared it to Pete Rose betting on his own team and described the world as 'somewhat of a casino'.
