# DoD Bars Military Betting on Government Information

A Department of Defense memorandum dated October 20 bars Pentagon and military personnel from using non-public government information to place financial wagers, including bets on traditional platforms and prediction markets. The prohibition covers both classified and unclassified information. The article does not state that the memo applies directly to contractors, but it is relevant to companies whose employees have access to sensitive defense information because it highlights the risks of misuse and the importance of clear safeguards around that information.

- Contractors supporting defense missions can review insider-threat, operational-security, ethics, and personnel training practices for staff with access to sensitive government information; the memo itself is not described as imposing a direct contractor requirement.
- Companies should distinguish the memo’s stated scope—Pentagon and military personnel—from their own contractual, security, and ethics obligations.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 22, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

### Key Quotes
> This prohibition applies whether the transaction is informed by classified or unclassified information.
> — Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense

### Sources
- [Hegseth warns troops against using military information for gambling, prediction market bets | DefenseScoop](https://defensescoop.com/2026/10/22/hegseth-memo-gambling-prediction-markets) - DefenseScoop