Former associates of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are taking senior roles at prediction-market firms, including Polymarket and sports-focused newcomer Novig. The appointments matter because the rapidly expanding industry is under intense legal and regulatory scrutiny, raising questions about the influence of people with recent experience inside federal regulators.

Polymarket hired Jonathan Mendelson, who advised SEC chair Paul Atkins while working through DOGE, as a senior strategic executive; the company is also facing a CFTC investigation. Elie Mishory, previously a CFTC regulator and later DOGE’s SEC lead, became Novig’s chief regulatory and legal affairs officer in June after senior roles at Kalshi. Mishory says his DOGE work focused on streamlining processes rather than staff cuts, while critics argue prediction markets can resemble unregulated sports betting and may breach state gambling laws.