US elections sees £10 million in bets
November 3, 2008 by mbates
As the world gets ready to welcome the next American president, UK based punters have staked a record £10 million worth of bets on the two horse race, almost four times as much that was bet on the 2004 elections. Obama is currently beating John McCain in the opinion polls by seven points, beating McCain in the key battlegrounds of Florida and Missouri.
The Irish bookmaker Paddy Power has already paid out on Barack Obama on being named as the next US President, however it is still taking bets on the outcome but with Obama having odds of 1/14 you would need to put on a £500 just to win back £35.00 it does not seem to be worth the gamble, as with any betting event - anything can happen, just ask Al Gore, he was destined to be beat Bush in the 2000 US Presidential elections.
A spokesman from the Racing Post said: “The bookmakers have never seen such a high level of interest in an American Presidential Election, Obama has caught the hearts and minds of British punters and could turn out to be the most popular president on these shores since JFK. ”
The election results are expected to be announced early on Wednesday morning, the results will be shown live on the BBC News 24 and Sky News.
Paddy Power shortens US election postponement odds
October 8, 2008 by mbates
Paddy Power has reduced the odds for the US Presidential Election to be postponed from 66/1 to 40/1 due to the current economic crisis that is gripping the States.
With just over €1000 being placed on the November election being moved until 2009 Paddy Power spokesperson Sharon McHugh said: “It would be astonishing if the US Election were to be postponed. Even through the great depression in 1932, World War 2 and a series of other wars since then, US elections have always gone ahead. However, that hasn’t stopped our customers betting on the unthinkable.”
Other betting on the US Election sees Barack Obama has going ahead in the betting, he is now just 1/5 with Paddy Power to succeed Bush as President, while John McCain trails at 10/3 even with the adding of Sarah Palin as his running mate.
