close
close
hsuses

Canadian sports betting providers suspend political betting

Theo

Posted on: July 16, 2024, 07:33 am.

Last updated on: July 16, 2024, 07:34.

Following the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump over the weekend, two sports betting operators operating in Canada have suspended their betting markets for the 2024 US presidential election.

Canadian Sportsbooks – Political Betting Odds 2024
Former President Donald Trump reacts after a bullet grazed his ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Saturday, July 13, 2024. Two Canadian sportsbooks have suspended their political betting markets following the assassination attempt. (Image: Reuters)

Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and home to the richest sports betting market. The province, which began sports betting operations in April 2022, welcomed several notable U.S. sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM.

On Saturday night, a 20-year-old gunman armed with an AR-style weapon climbed a building in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 120 yards from where the former president was rallying Republicans and his supporters for the Nov. 5 election. Trump turned his head slightly at the right moment as the gunman fired, the bullet grazing the former casino tycoon’s right ear.

The failed assassination attempt has further fueled Trump’s 2024 election campaign. It has also shed light on controversial betting on political outcomes, prompting two Canadian sportsbooks to halt their bets on such markets for the time being.

Exposed lines

FanDuel announced Monday that it will close its U.S. betting offerings in Canada in 2024. Such political betting is not allowed in the U.S. but is common abroad in the U.K. and much of Europe, as well as northern Canada.

In light of recent events, FanDuel has decided to suspend its US election markets,” the sports betting operator said about its activities in Canada.

Hours later, BetMGM also withdrew its betting markets for the US election.

At the time of writing, DraftKings and bet365 continue to allow betting on the 2024 election. BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook and PointsBet, three other commercial sportsbooks in Ontario, do not offer U.S. political markets.

Trump continues to cement his status as the frontrunner. At bet365, the billionaire’s odds of winning in November are -275, for an implied probability of 73.3%. President Joe Biden is at +450, for an implied probability of just 18%.

Other possible Democratic successors should Biden agree to step down include Vice President Kamala Harris at +1100 – a probability of 8.3%. Former First Lady Michelle Obama is at +2500 and California Governor Gavin Newsom is at +3300.

Biden remains the favorite to secure his party’s nomination at the Democratic convention in Chicago next month. The president is at -334, Harris at +400, Obama at +1400 and Newsom at +2000.

Sports betting, including political betting, is allowed in several other Canadian provinces. However, Ontario is the only province that operates commercial sports betting. The other provinces have a government-designated sportsbook operator.

Vance doesn’t move the needle

On the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Trump announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his vice presidential candidate for 2024. Casino.org As reported last week, Vance was the favorite among betting odds for Trump’s vice presidential nomination.

“After careful consideration, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have concluded that Senator J.D. Vance of the great State of Ohio is the most qualified person to serve as Vice President of the United States,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network.

Trump’s choice of Ohio’s junior senator had no impact on his overall chances for 2024. Before Vance’s announcement, bookmakers had already put Trump at -275 for Biden’s ousting from the White House.

Related Posts