Apocalypse
01-13-2009, 10:33 PM
Betting on American presidential politics - and Obama in particular - has spurred an avalanche of online wagers. Since such gambling is illegal in the U.S., offshore operations handle all the political parlays. Paddy Power, Ireland's biggest bookmaker, said that bettors gambled $3.4 million during the '08 presidential election. In the U.K., the tally was $8 million, according to MarketWatch.
While all major international political events draw betting interest, "the U.S. presidential election was by far the biggest in terms of money wagered," said Ken Robertson of Paddy Power.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/12/national/inauguration09/main4715745.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_4715745
And what are some of the odds they are betting on and the returns?
A Sampling of Obama Betting Odds:
2-1 ~ Rain during the inauguration speech
4-1 ~ Denzel Washington will play Obama in film
5-1 ~Halle Berry will play Michelle Obama in film
8-1 ~ The Obamas will name their puppy George
10-1 ~Obama becoming a father again during his 1st term
12-1 ~ 1st thing to happen after election: marijuana legalized
20-1 ~ Malia Obama to be U.S. president at any stage in her life
33-1 ~Obama will be impeached during 1st term
500-1 ~ 1st thing to happen after election: aliens discovered on Mars
(Sources: Paddy Power, BetUS Sportsbook)
I think we can see better on Impeachment.
While all major international political events draw betting interest, "the U.S. presidential election was by far the biggest in terms of money wagered," said Ken Robertson of Paddy Power.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/12/national/inauguration09/main4715745.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_4715745
And what are some of the odds they are betting on and the returns?
A Sampling of Obama Betting Odds:
2-1 ~ Rain during the inauguration speech
4-1 ~ Denzel Washington will play Obama in film
5-1 ~Halle Berry will play Michelle Obama in film
8-1 ~ The Obamas will name their puppy George
10-1 ~Obama becoming a father again during his 1st term
12-1 ~ 1st thing to happen after election: marijuana legalized
20-1 ~ Malia Obama to be U.S. president at any stage in her life
33-1 ~Obama will be impeached during 1st term
500-1 ~ 1st thing to happen after election: aliens discovered on Mars
(Sources: Paddy Power, BetUS Sportsbook)
I think we can see better on Impeachment.