An offshore location sets new ground by accepting wagers for the Special Olympics.
A betting website is making history by allowing fans to place bets on the Special Olympics for the first time ever. Starting with the opening ceremonies in Berlin, people can now wager on the world-famous international event featuring athletes with cognitive disabilities.
In the past, only the Paralympics had betting sites running odds, but never the Special Olympics. BetOnline.ag, a well-known online gaming platform based in Panama for the last 25 years, is the first to take this step.
Although attempts have been made to contact Special Olympics organizers, there's been little to no response. However, two Special Olympics athletes have had their sponsors agree to provide photos for the betting promotion.
Controversy Arises
While some may question the taste of betting on the Special Olympics, others believe it brings more legitimacy to the event as elite athletic competition.
Edward Knight, the brand manager at BetOnline, said they anticipate some backlash for their Special Olympics odds, but the company has been around for nearly three decades and has always had a positive impact on the visibility of a sport. It's a gaming company that provides entertainment products, and their marketing strategies aim to generate publicity for both the company and the event.
Additionally, a nonprofit organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities will receive a $10K donation from BetOnline after the Special Olympics.
Pandemic-Related First Special Olympics
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be the first Special Olympics since 2018. BetOnline has thoroughly researched the odds for the games and sees no gimmicks in their offerings. These skilled athletes are competing at an even level, and the site's oddsmakers will treat the World Games with the same attention and respect as any other sport.
Two power-lifting athletes, Aaron Higgins from Saskatchewan and Bobby Hill from Alaska, are involved in the betting promotion, sending their photos. Higgins is given 5-1 odds to win, while Hill has 16-1 odds.
The website only offers odds for a dozen competitions, which include powerlifting, track and field, basketball, cycling, soccer, and swimming. According to BetOnline, they've only listed disciplines within the top-tier divisions and the "non-unified sports" category.
The most popular events among early bettors are basketball, soccer, and powerlifting. Some segments of the Special Olympics will be aired on ESPN and other networks. Reports show that people are 76% more likely to watch a sporting event if they've placed a wager.
The Special Olympics are typically held every two years, alternating between winter and summer events.
The Special Olympics director of communications, Rebecca Simon, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
