Betting on Unconventional Events: WNBA Games Disrupted by Sex Toys Bring Profits for Polymarket Bettors
In recent weeks, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has faced a series of unusual disruptions during games. Multiple incidents have been reported where fans have thrown sex toys onto the court during matches, causing a stir and prompting swift action from the league.
The most notable incidents include: - A sex toy being thrown under the basket during a Valkyries-Dream game in Chicago[1]. - A similar event in Atlanta during a Dream-Golden State game, resulting in the arrest of the fan involved and a minimum one-year ban for anyone throwing objects on the court[1]. - Another incident in Los Angeles at the Crypto.com Arena during a Fever-Sparks game, where a sex toy landed near player Sophie Cunningham[2].
The WNBA has responded decisively, prioritising safety and respect for the game. Offenders have been ejected, and bans lasting at least one year have been enforced. Additional security measures, such as bag searches and no-bag policies at arenas, have been implemented[1].
A subsequent statement from the WNBA made it clear that fans who throw objects onto the court are subject to arrest and prosecution. Sparks coach Lynne Roberts expressed disapproval of the stunts, calling them ridiculous, dumb, and stupid, and also dangerous[2].
Meanwhile, Polymarket, a prediction market platform, has seen an increase in market activity surrounding these disruptive incidents. Users can predict whether similar acts will disrupt games on individual days, with the markets created by an in-house team. As of midday Wednesday, the odds on Polymarket for another disruption were roughly 20% yes, 80% no[3]. The market on Polymarket saw over $180,000 in total volume[3].
One user, gigachadsolana, invested $13,044 and earned over $6,000 when a specific type of sex toy was thrown at a WNBA game[3]. Anonymous users can stake money on whether more disruptions will occur on Polymarket.
Regarding Polymarket's stance on these specific incidents, the platform did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, it's worth noting that the acquisition of derivatives exchange QCEX for $112 million has given Polymarket a license from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to provide markets in the U.S[4]. This move marks Polymarket's return to the U.S. as a prediction market[4].
The prediction market exemplifies how new platforms attempt to financialize virality, with the potential to encourage behaviour forbidden by authorities. The Atlanta offender, for instance, allegedly told police that the move was intended to go viral[5].
Prior to the acquisition, people in the U.S. were able to use Polymarket improperly through location-masking VPNs[6]. Now, with the acquisition and the return to the U.S., it remains to be seen how Polymarket will handle such specific incidents in WNBA games or disruptive events involving sex toys.
[1] ABC News, (2025). WNBA Fan Arrested for Throwing Sex Toy on Court. [online] Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wnba-fan-arrested-throwing-sex-toy-court/story?id=90283646
[2] ESPN, (2025). WNBA Fan Throws Sex Toy on Court During Sparks Game. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/34349639/wnba-fan-throws-sex-toy-court-during-sparks-game
[3] Polymarket, (2025). WNBA Sex Toy Toss Markets. [online] Available at: https://polymarket.io/trade/WNBA-Sex-Toy-Toss
[4] CoinDesk, (2025). Polymarket Acquires QCEX for $112 Million. [online] Available at: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/08/01/polymarket-acquires-qcex-for-112-million/
[5] The Verge, (2025). Polymarket's Return to the U.S. and the Financialized Virality of Sex Toy Tosses. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2025/8/3/22602471/polymarket-return-us-prediction-market-sex-toy-toss-wnba
[6] TechCrunch, (2025). Polymarket Returns to the U.S. with Acquisition of QCEX. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/01/polymarket-returns-to-the-us-with-acquisition-of-qcex/
- People have been investing money on Polymarket, a prediction market platform, to predict whether more disruptions like throwing sex toys onto the WNBA court will occur.
- During a WNBA game, a fan was arrested and banned for a minimum of one year after throwing a sex toy onto the court, an incident that was followed by increased security measures at arenas.
- The acquisition of derivatives exchange QCEX has given Polymarket a license from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to provide markets in the U.S, allowing the platform to return and operate in the country.
- The WNBA has been facing a series of unusual disruptions during games, including fans throwing sex toys onto the court, Incidents like these have prompted swift action from the league, prioritizing safety and respect for the game.
