France Football calls police over Polymarket leak fears

Lawyer William O’Rorke says insider-trading rules don’t apply, but leakers face breach-of-trust charges & bettors using leaked tips risk receiving-stolen-goods charges.

The hit

Twelve Polymarket accounts correctly predicted the exact top-five order of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, according to French outlet Upside. The accounts, created between 1-20 October, reportedly wagered $264,000 combined, with six allegedly placing bets within 15 minutes of the account being created. France Football contacted police, who opened an investigation, the Guardian reported.

Why it matters

The case shows prediction markets sit in a legal grey zone. French lawyer William O’Rorke says EU market abuse rules only cover financial instruments, so a Ballon d’Or bet ‘falls solely under the regulations governing betting’. A leaker could still face breach-of-trust charges & prison time; a bettor who knowingly used leaked rankings risks receiving-stolen-goods charges.

The record

Accounts flagged	12 accounts on Polymarket (Upside)
Total wagered	$264,000 across the 12 accounts (Upside)
Accounts created	1-20 October, six allegedly bet within 15 minutes of the account being created
Winner correctly called	Harry Kane, ahead of Mbappé, Yamal, Rodri & Messi
French penalty for leaking	Up to 5 years in prison & a €375,000 fine (Article 314-1)
Gibraltar licences	2 operators licensed under new framework since July

What happens next

Watch the French police investigation opened after France Football contacted the police, & whether the ANJ or other European regulators act further against Polymarket while Gibraltar’s licensed prediction-market framework continues.

Sources: Ballon d’Or leak exposes Europe’s prediction market loopholes

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