I Visited Polymarket’s Closed Grocery Store. It Was A Cry For Help.

As state governments across the country scrutinize prediction markets such as Polymarket for allegedly operating illegal sports gambling, the nascent industry responds with high-profile revolving-door lobbyists and free grocery stores.

I visited Polymarket’s now-shuttered grocery in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It was a brisk, sunny afternoon. Dozens of people queued on the sidewalk. Workers walked by with free hot chocolate and coffee. At the front, a jazz musician played John Lennon’s Imagine. A sleek wooden sign read Free Flowers for Valentine’s Day.

Multiple passersby appeared to be aware of the Polymarket grocery store event. The PR stunt, which ended Feb. 15, was working.

I couldn’t help but see Polymarket’s ploy as an attempt at buying goodwill with a public that is largely unfamiliar with their gambling business. They’ll need it when the regulators come knocking.

Polymarket has controversially taken bets on the Brown University shooting, the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, a crewed NASA mission explosion, and countless war-related events.

Rival Kalshi also had a pop-up grocery store event. These events came as the city battles a cost-of-living crisis.

Polymarket ‘Not the Worst’

“I’m just here for the free flowers,” said Sebastian, 32. He had never heard of Polymarket before the grocery store event. “I think it’s just a good way to get their brand name out.”

Richard, a 68-year-old combat veteran from Astoria, NYC, heard about the grocery from his counselor. “My counselor said, ‘There’s a new market opening up for New York, you ought to check it out.’” He didn’t think the free groceries came with strings attached. “They’re just doing this to give back.”

One queuer was familiar with Polymarket. “I don’t think they’re the worst in the world,” Salar, 21, explained. “People have always been gambling. But I do think the fact that it’s not regulated is not the best part.” 

I noticed, from the corner of my eye, a Polymarket grocery store security guard listening in on our conversation.

Salar continued, “I think the insider trading aspect is… interesting.” I asked whether he felt they had an ulterior motive for the grocery stunt. He nodded. “I think it’s just to get better public perception.”

Sports betting, the core business of the prediction market sector, is growing increasingly unpopular in the U.S., as addiction rates soar and leagues are hit by betting scandals.

Running for Polymarket’s Grocery Store Door

As I approached the front, the jazz musician began playing Eagles’ Hotel California. A worker waited a few seconds before handing over my free roses. It felt deliberate, like he wanted to slow the queue down.

The grocery store itself was closed. I peered through the window and saw workers organizing the half-empty shelves. A rolling LED display claimed to have served three million community members, perhaps referring to the three million meals they’ve donated.

Polymarket has a valuation of over $11 billion, with investors such as Donald Trump Jr. and Peter Thiel.

I took my flowers and circled back to the end of the line. As I began another interview, their lead security guard, possibly an off-duty police officer, accosted me with two others behind him and accused me of harassing queuers.

“Do you have a press badge?” (The First Amendment does not require a press badge to newsgather in public spaces.) I replied no. “No harm, no foul,” he said, and walked away.

The lady, possibly shaken by the interaction, declined to continue our conversation. With multiple interviews complete at the Polymarket grocery store, I decided to call it a day. As I left the queue and walked toward the train, I couldn’t shake the final, ominous line in Hotel California from my head.

You can check out any time, but you can never leave.

Jack Hu is an anti-NYC casino organizer from Flushing, NY. Follow his community group on Instagram at @nocasinofmcp.