WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump voiced growing concern over the rising trend of people betting on major geopolitical events, declaring that the world is “kind of becoming a casino.”
Speaking to reporters on April 23, 2026, Trump addressed the case of a U.S. special forces soldier who was arrested and charged with betting on the success of a mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The soldier allegedly made around $400,000 from the wager.
Trump said he was not fully briefed on the details yet but made his feelings clear. “That’s like Pete Rose betting on his own team,” he remarked, referencing the late baseball legend who was banned from the sport over gambling scandals.
When asked if he was worried about similar betting on the ongoing tensions with Iran, Trump took a broader view. “Unfortunately, I think the whole world has kind of become a casino,” he said, noting that such wagering is happening “all over the world.” He added firmly, “I’m not happy about it.”
The president’s comments highlight a growing issue where global conflicts and high-stakes operations are turning into opportunities for gamblers, raising serious concerns about national security and military integrity.
Trump concluded that this trend is troubling and something that needs to be addressed as events on the world stage continue to draw intense public and financial interest.