$450,000 wagered before Polymarket axes Cornell rape-case bet

The contract let users bet on whether seven men accused of rape would face felony charges.

The hit

Polymarket has removed a contract letting users bet on whether seven men accused of raping a Cornell University student would face felony sex crime charges. The market, reported by GamblingNews, launched on 30 September & was pulled after public backlash. It had been due to run until 31 January.

Why it matters

The removal shows Polymarket pulled at least one market after backlash once it touched an active criminal case. The company has also been criticised over contracts on the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, though those markets were not reported as removed. Critics say markets tied to criminal proceedings could create a financial incentive for people to interfere with investigations or prosecutions.

The record

Alleged assault	Woman says she was drugged & gang-raped at Chi Phi fraternity house, October 2024
Civil lawsuit filed	16 September, naming seven fraternity members as defendants
Market trading volume	Over $450,000 before removal
Criticism	Called “dehumanizing, disgusting, and dangerous” by attorney Cheyenne Hunt
Celebrity link	LeBron James endorses Polymarket; appeared in company ad with Spike Lee

What happens next

No criminal charges have been filed. The defendants deny the allegations. New York attorney general Letitia James is acting as special prosecutor after Governor Kathy Hochul’s appointment, with the case reopened following the lawsuit. Polymarket said the market focused on whether the government would take action & pointed to its belief in the wisdom of crowds in defending the contract.

Sources: Polymarket Forced to Remove Contract About Cornell University Rape Case

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