Israeli Air Force Major Charged for Using Classified Information on Prediction Markets

A specialized reservist major in the Israeli Air Force (IAF) is facing serious security charges for allegedly leveraging confidential military briefings to profit on the prediction market Polymarket. The indictment, filed in the Tel Aviv District Court, accuses the officer and a civilian accomplice of using state secrets regarding military strike timings to place successful, high-stakes wagers.

Prosecutors allege that on June 12, 2025, the officer shared details of a planned offensive against Iran with his civilian partner, just one day before the operation commenced. The partner then placed a wager on Polymarket tied to the strike's timing. When Israeli jets launched on June 13, the pair allegedly split winnings exceeding $160,000, paid out in cryptocurrency to a digital wallet.

The scheme reportedly continued into September with wagers on strikes in Yemen and only halted in January 2026 after the accomplice feared scrutiny on social media. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that "no operational harm was caused," they condemned the actions as a "severe ethical failure" and a "clear crossing of a red line."

The case has raised questions about a potential betting culture within the military. During interrogations, a separate, higher-ranking crew member reportedly admitted to making tens of thousands of dollars on similar wagers, claiming: "The entire squadron is on Polymarket, the entire air force is betting." Investigators also found evidence that at least one commander was aware of the betting and expressed regret for not joining sooner.

This scandal emerges as regulators in the United States and Europe move to ban government officials from using insider knowledge on prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi.