As the prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket face backlash over their Iran war-related gambling markets and allegations of insider trading on military information, at least one other platform is gamifying the horrific conflict in a different way.

Jackpot.bet, an offshore gambling platform claiming registration in the Caribbean country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, turned the war into a slot-machine-style game.

The product, called Strike Zone, lets users pick bombing targets and place bets. A random number generator determines if the strike hits as predicted. The game does not seem to use real-world bombings.

“Iran serves as the launch point, and sixteen surrounding countries are your targets, each one with a published hit chance and a multiplier attached to it,” stated a description of the game. “Once you’ve selected your countries and placed your chips, you hit Launch. Missiles fire across the map, and the round plays out in front of you.”

The platform claims users can win up to $1 million.

What is Jackpot.bet?

In the U.S., authorities could consider the platform an illegal offshore online casino. The website states that it doesn’t allow U.S. players. Jackpot.bet apparently launched in 2024, but there was no official announcement.

Jackpot.bet pushes crypto heavily, but also advertises fiat funding methods, including Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

In addition to casino games, the platform offers sports betting.

Jackpot.bet is powered by technology from suppliers such as Altenar, and its website lists games from software providers Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, and NoLimit City.

Hacksaw Gaming and NoLimit City participate in the regulated U.S. online gambling market.

Addiction and Ethical Considerations

Many people find it ethically repugnant to use death and human suffering as the basis for gambling.

Games like Strike Zone can also be addictive for users and cause harm. Tying gameplay to distressing real-world events raises additional ethical concerns, as it may exploit users’ vulnerability to compulsive play in response to those events.

As problematic as Jackpot.bet’s Iran war slots game may be, a prediction market that allows trading on real military strikes or the ousting of heads of state is arguably more concerning.

In the U.S., a growing number of federal policymakers have condemned prediction markets. At the state and federal levels, legislation has been introduced to control these CFTC-regulated platforms that critics say have run amok.

Like all forms of online gambling, prediction markets can be highly addictive for some users.