A Gambling Platform is Taking Bets on Which Escaped Louisiana Inmate Will Be Captured Next, and the Internet is Disgusted
All eyes have been on New Orleans since the news broke about ten inmates being held on a variety of charges – including second-degree murder, armed robbery and assault – escaping from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. But while some concerned about public safety are holding their breath until the five inmates who are still at large are captured, others are keeping track on which will be captured for the benefit of their bottom line.
Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based platform which allows users to place their bets on everything from the team that will win the 2025 NBA Championship to who will be the next president of Suriname, just announced that users can bet on which of the inmates who are still at large will be captured by Friday.
'PRISONER PARLAYS?' the company captioned a May 20 post on X to let users know about the option to bet.
'Which inmates will be captured by Friday?''How many inmates caught by Friday' and 'All Orleans escapees captured by Friday?' are among the options Polymarket users have to cash in on the inmate's capture. And as you should expect, lots of people online have opinions about this, including plenty who find the idea of betting on human beings in this way pretty repulsive.
'It's giving squid games. gross,' wrote one disgusted commenter on X.
Others were quick to cosign.
'This is the most degenerate sh*t I've seen this year,' wrote someone else.
But while most people who spoke out were totally against the idea, one commenter thought the inmates who are still on the run should find a way to use the platform to make a little money for themselves.
'Damn .. if they were smart they would bet on themselves and cash out big,' wrote someone on X.
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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
A Gambling Platform is Taking Bets on Which Escaped Louisiana Inmate Will Be Captured Next, and the Internet is Disgusted
All eyes have been on New Orleans since the news broke about ten inmates being held on a variety of charges – including second-degree murder, armed robbery and assault – escaping from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. But while some concerned about public safety are holding their breath until the five inmates who are still at large are captured, others are keeping track on which will be captured for the benefit of their bottom line. Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based platform which allows users to place their bets on everything from the team that will win the 2025 NBA Championship to who will be the next president of Suriname, just announced that users can bet on which of the inmates who are still at large will be captured by Friday. 'PRISONER PARLAYS?' the company captioned a May 20 post on X to let users know about the option to bet. 'Which inmates will be captured by Friday?''How many inmates caught by Friday' and 'All Orleans escapees captured by Friday?' are among the options Polymarket users have to cash in on the inmate's capture. And as you should expect, lots of people online have opinions about this, including plenty who find the idea of betting on human beings in this way pretty repulsive. 'It's giving squid games. gross,' wrote one disgusted commenter on X. Others were quick to cosign. 'This is the most degenerate sh*t I've seen this year,' wrote someone else. But while most people who spoke out were totally against the idea, one commenter thought the inmates who are still on the run should find a way to use the platform to make a little money for themselves. 'Damn .. if they were smart they would bet on themselves and cash out big,' wrote someone on X. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
New Orleans jailbreak: Crypto site lets users bet on next inmate capture
The Brief Five inmates are still at large after escaping from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. The betting site Polymarket is letting users wager real money on who will be caught by Friday. Authorities have arrested several people for aiding the escape and warn the fugitives are "armed and dangerous." A cryptocurrency-powered prediction site is allowing users to place real-money bets on which of the remaining New Orleans jail escapees will be captured by Friday. The market, hosted by blockchain platform Polymarket, lists the names of five inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. As of Friday, May 23, more than $6,500 had been wagered. Each inmate is listed with dynamic odds based on trading activity, with users earning $1 per share if their chosen fugitive is caught by the deadline. The wagers are part of a growing niche of speculative betting on real-world events—from elections to celebrity news. The backstory Ten inmates escaped through a hole behind a toilet, sparking a citywide manhunt. Five were quickly recaptured, but five remain on the run. Authorities warned that the escapees should be considered "armed and dangerous." Among them is Derrick Groves, convicted of double murder in 2024. The others were awaiting trial on charges ranging from robbery to assault. Polymarket's betting system uses cryptocurrency to allow users to buy and sell shares on outcomes. The more users bet on one result, the more expensive it becomes to buy, and vice versa. Users aren't betting against the site—they're betting against each other. By the numbers As of Wednesday afternoon, here's how much had been wagered on each fugitive and their perceived odds of recapture by 11:59 p.m. ET May 23: Antoine Massey: 32% chance, $1,408 wagered Leo Tate: 32% chance, $1,035 wagered Derrick Groves: 31% chance, $492 wagered Jermaine Donald: 29% chance, $1,042 wagered Lenton Vanburen: 25% chance, $1,619 wagered The market rules say it will resolve based on confirmation from law enforcement that a suspect is physically placed in custody by the deadline. What they're saying Polymarket posted Tuesday on X: "PRISONER PARLAYS? You can now bet on which inmates from the New Orleans jailbreak will be captured by Friday." The post gained over 980,000 views. Louisiana State Police spokesperson Katharine Stegall told Newsweek earlier this week: "We have every intention to continue pushing forward with our law enforcement partners until each of the fugitives is back in custody." Authorities have already made multiple arrests related to the escape. Jail employee Sterling Williams was charged Tuesday with aiding the breakout. Two more people—Cortnie Harris and Corvanntay Baptiste—were arrested Wednesday for allegedly transporting or feeding fugitives. What's next Officials continue to investigate how the escape was organized. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has said she believes it was an inside job, and multiple staff members have been suspended. While the betting market has amused some online, the situation remains serious. The escapees pose a public safety threat, and law enforcement agencies say they are treating the search with urgency. The Source This article is based on data and user activity from Polymarket's publicly accessible betting platform as of May 23, 2025. Additional details about the jailbreak, inmate identities, and recapture status were reported by Newsweek and confirmed by statements from the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and Louisiana State Police. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Newsweek
People are Betting On Capture of New Orleans Prisoners
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Cryptocurrency-based betting website Polymarket is taking bets on whether each of the five currently at large New Orleans prison inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16 will be recaptured by Friday. Initially, 10 inmates managed to break out via a hole behind a toilet, but as of Wednesday morning, five had been recaptured. Newsweek reached out to Polymarket via email for comment on Wednesday outside of regular working hours. Why It Matters Derrick Groves, one of the 10 escapees, was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder in October 2024. The other nine prisoners hadn't been convicted but were being held on a range of charges, including second-degree murder, armed robbery and assault. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office warned the public that the escapees should be considered "armed and dangerous." Top from L: Dkenan Dennis, Gary C Price, Robert Moody, Kendell Myles, Corey E Boyd. Bottom from L: Lenton Vanburen Jr, Jermaine Donald, Antonine T Massey, Derrick D. Groves, and Leo Tate Sr. Top from L: Dkenan Dennis, Gary C Price, Robert Moody, Kendell Myles, Corey E Boyd. Bottom from L: Lenton Vanburen Jr, Jermaine Donald, Antonine T Massey, Derrick D. Groves, and Leo Tate Sr. Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office via AP What To Know As of 10:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Polymarket gave a 32 percent chance that Jermaine Donald would be recaptured by Friday, a 43 percent chance for Derrick Groves, a 25 percent chance for Antoine Massey, 51 percent odds on Leo Tate and 29 percent on Lenton Vanburen. It had previously offered odds on Corey Boyd before his recapture in New Orleans, which was announced on Tuesday. Some $956 had been bet on him by the time he was taken back into custody. Polymarket allows customers to buy and sell shares on the likelihood of future outcomes for between $0 and $1, and receive $1 per share if the outcome they predicted takes place. The price is controlled by the market, which operates via cryptocurrency. This means that lots of bets on one side of an event will make it cheaper to buy shares in a different outcome. Rather than betting against Polymarket itself, each customer is effectively betting against other website users. One share in Donald being captured by Friday could be purchased for 40c at 10:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday. The corresponding figures for the other four were Groves on 66c, Massey with 24c, Tate on 65c and Vanburen with 31c. The most bets, totaling £1,031 ($1,386), were placed on Vanburen, while the fewest, at £297 ($399), went on Groves. On Tuesday, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed Sterling Williams, a 33-year-old employee at the Orleans Justice Center, had been arrested as they investigate whether he aided the 10 men in their escape. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson previously said she believed the escape was an inside job and three employees were suspended as part of an ongoing investigation. What People Are Saying Polymarket, Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter: "PRISONER PARLAYS? You can now bet on which inmates from the New Orleans jailbreak will be captured by Friday." The post was widely shared on the platform and received more than 980,000 views from other users. Louisiana State Police spokesperson Katharine Stegall told Newsweek on Monday: "Troopers are providing personnel, logistical support, intelligence-led policing and coordination through the LSP Fusion Center. We have worked steadily through the weekend and will continue for the foreseeable future. We have every intention to continue pushing forward with our law enforcement partners until each of the fugitives is back in custody." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the five prisoners will be returned to custody by Friday. Large-scale prison breaks are uncommon in the U.S., and authorities will be investigating to try to avoid a repeat of the May 16 events.
