Politics has infiltrated every facet of life, so betting on political events is not that unexpected. Just as people bet on the outcome of a football game, or at the blackjack table, not mention betting on numbers in the lottery. The US Presidential elections usually are hotly anticipated and contested, generating intense interest nationally and internationally.
Political betting has been around for a while, but with the last presidential elections in the USA, interest in this form of gambling has been surging. This growing phenomenon is maturing into a mini-industry of its own. In this increasingly competitive environment, online casinos have started to sit up, and take notice of this popular form of wagering. They are taking it much more seriously and is being included in more and more online casinos.
The US Presidential Elections
The USA is the prime target for political betting since the profile and appeal are incredibly high worldwide. At any point in time, during a US Presidential term of four years, punters can place bets on the outcome of the next elections. The odds shift and change depending on the performance of the US President in office. Very often it is possible to predict the result of a future election based on the odds. In fact, betting odds are even mentioned during election campaigns and used as publicity during the Presidential campaign, or by political adversaries. Sportsbooks offer odds on new political candidates, established ones and also on the ejections and appointments of senators to Congress. As the impending general elections approach, after the Primaries, things become much clearer, and many of the early contenders drop out of the race, and contention. From then onwards, it becomes somewhat clearer who will remain in contention and who drops out, and the odds start to settle down. The trick is, of course, to pick the winning candidate right at the beginning of a Presidential term, or even before the candidates are announced, when the odds are more favourable, but the risk higher. One can choose to bet on a political party, the outcome of elections in states, besides the candidates themselves. One has the option of betting on the election outcome for the Mayor of a city, or even on the president’s approval ratings! Sportsbooks offer different odds according to specific percentage ratings. The options indeed are wide-ranging and varied.
Rest of the World
The whole world is a political arena replete with political events. The UK usually garnets intense worldwide interest. In fact, it is the second most popular country for political
wagering. One can bet on the next Prime Minister, political party, appointments to parliament and local council elections, for the city mayor and council members. The election of a new Mayor of London is widely followed and wagering is intense. Betting in full, incorporating who will be the next leader of political parties in the UK, particularly the Conservative and Labour parties, but also the less popular ones. The EU institution also comes into target, as do some of the major European economies. Australia is another country that attracts interest.
Political Betting Options
There are so many options for Political Betting these days. Several Sportsbook operators have started offering the service. The main political arenas are the USA and UK, but world Political Events are gaining ground. The trick is to choose the best one offering the best choice and overall service.
What to watch out for
One thing to watch out for when making your choice is the range of betting options. Some operators offer a much better selection than others. You may not be a high roller and would like to bet minimal amounts or vice versa. Find out if the betting range is adequate for your budget. The pricing needs to be competitive; you don’t want to find out you are paying more for something then you should be. You should also compare the odds with other sportsbook operators, in relation to the price. Not to forget that sportsbooks focus primarily on sporting event wagering, their odds may be right in that respect, but lousy when it comes to odds offered on political events, which is precisely why it is essential to compare and fish around before committing to one particular sportsbook operator.
Reputation & Security
It is essential to choose an operator with a good reputation, robust security measures and adequate banking options, especially if you happen to win. The sportsbook’s reputation should be evaluated in addition to the odds and pricing factors. All three are crucial. There need to be accessible banking options and security in place to ensure your privacy and safely of transferring funds. One can gain a wealth of information by checking out related forums and even posting there to ask for recommendations or the opinion of others about a particular sportsbook operator. Asking around and doing some basic research at the outset can save time and money later. Choosing a long established operator is the safest option, although not always the best.
The Future Beckons
With the rise in popularity of political betting, one can expect more and more sportsbook operators including the option on their sites along with sports betting and casinos. This new niche in the market is fast becoming a significant gap, with operators scrambling to fill it. No doubt, the options will increase. This guide is here to help you choose wisely, and wager safely, according to your bankroll.
