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Editor’s note: the story has been updated with a reaction by Polymarket.
Nick Shirley, Riley Gaines and Brian Krassenstein were among more than 800 people who allegedly received money from Polymarket’s chief marketing officer through a personal PayPal account, according to a Politico investigation published Friday.
Matthew Modabber, Polymarket Chief Marketin Officer, sent at least $350,000 to content creators between January 2025 and February 2026, the report said. Total transfers from the personal account, which is reportedly registered to an email tied to a salad shop Modabber co-founded, topped $2.5 million.
The Undisclosed Influencer Operation
About two dozen creators promoted Polymarket on X after taking payments from Modabber, posting at least 490 times without disclosing a paid partnership, Politico found.
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Roughly a third framed shifts in betting odds as “BREAKING” or “NEW” news updates.
One anonymous influencer said Polymarket fed them scripts and dictated post timing: “They actually told us, ‘This one needs to get out now,’ as if we were cattle.”
Shane Ginsberg, a 19-year-old who runs marketing outfit Street Poller, allegedly received over $77,000 to deploy a network of 50-plus creators conducting supposedly unscripted man-on-the-street interviews.
In one clip, Ginsberg casually mentions he bet $5,000 on Donald Trump, then directs the interviewee to download Polymarket.
From The Pentagon To Dinesh D’Souza’s Wife
Modabber’s payments reportedly extended into politically sensitive territory. Recipients included Amjed Yacu, who now serves as deputy digital director at the Defense Department, and Debbie D’Souza, wife of pardoned filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza.
Polymarket separately said this week it is terminating its contract with George Santos, who is under CFTC investigation for allegedly betting against his own State of the Union attendance on rival Kalshi.
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The Comeback And The Hypocrisy
The report lands as Polymarket prepares its return to US trading. The company spent $112 million last year on a federally regulated exchange after the Trump administration dropped two investigations.
Donald Trump Jr. is a Polymarket investor and a paid adviser to Kalshi.
The CFTC and several states are currently in a legal fight over prediction market regulation.
Last August, an X user wrote: “The cultural relevance and brand recognition of Polymarket is something that cannot be faked.” Modabber shared the post on his own account, adding: “CANNOT BE FAKED.”
A Polymarket spokesperson responded to Benzinga’s request for comment by saying that Polymarket’s marketing partnerships and influencer relationships are conducted in compliance with applicable disclosure obligations and platform standards.
Image: Shutterstock
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