Polymarket removes contract allowing users to wager on accused Cornell students' fate

What happened: Polymarket removed a prediction market contract that let users wager on whether any of the seven men accused of raping a Cornell student in 2024 would be charged with a felony sex crime. Key numbers: Market opened Sept. 30, was slated to close Jan. 31, and had more than $450,000 in volume before removal. Why it matters: A Polymarket spokesperson said the company heard critics "loud and clear" and removed the market. Online critics called the contract degrading and questioned celebrity endorsers' ties to the company, with a petition singling out several famous promoters.

Polymarket removed a prediction market contract that let users wager on whether any of the seven men accused of raping a Cornell student in 2024 would be charged with a felony sex crime.

A Polymarket spokesperson said the company heard critics "loud and clear" and removed the market. Online critics called the contract degrading and questioned celebrity endorsers' ties to the company, with a petition singling out several famous promoters.