U.S. Soldier Gannon Van Dyke Charged for Betting $33,000 on Maduro Raid
Federal authorities arrested Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a U.S. special forces soldier, for using classified information to bet $33,034 on the military raid that removed Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro from office. Van Dyke made about 13 bets on the prediction platform Polymarket.
A U.S. special forces soldier has been charged with using top-secret military information to make tens of thousands of dollars in online bets.
Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, placed approximately 13 bets totaling $33,034 on Polymarket, a prediction betting platform. The Justice Department says he used classified details about the military operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power.
Polymarket allows users to bet on real-world events, from elections to military conflicts. Van Dyke allegedly knew the outcome of the Venezuela raid in advance because of his access to sensitive military plans.
The case highlights growing concerns about service members potentially exploiting classified information for personal gain. It also raises questions about security protocols when troops have access to both secret operations and online betting platforms.
Federal authorities have not revealed how they discovered Van Dyke's betting activity or whether other soldiers may have been involved in similar schemes.
This case shows how soldiers with access to secret military plans could illegally profit from that knowledge. It raises serious questions about security risks when troops can bet on operations they're involved in planning or executing.
Van Dyke will face federal charges in court. The military may also pursue separate disciplinary action.
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