Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by w-m 60 days ago
John Oliver had a segment on prediction markets this week. It covers insider training and opportunities for blatant manipulation like this, well worth checking out. The example in the Last Week Tonight segment was betting on dildos being thrown on court during a WNBA match. And then travelling to the match to throw the dildo.

[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN4njIQcSR4
1 comments
lostlogin 60 days ago
The WNBA bit was less alarming than the betting on various aspects of the US + Israel versus Iran war.

All gross.

link
Petersipoi 60 days ago
Why is the WNBA alarming at all (other than the fact that we shouldn't be throwing dildos on the court at all, of course)?

I'm just not sure why anyone would take a bet against someone who can single handedly make their side win. It would be like someone making a bet that I won't eat a hot dog for lunch tomorrow. Of course I'm going to eat a hot dog for lunch tomorrow. Why is there anything alarming about that? It's just stupid that anyone is taking the other side of that bet.

link