Anticipating the Conclave: Wagering on the Next Pope Gains Traction as the Event Approaches
New and Spirited Gamble: Betting on the Next Pope
The gambling community is stirring up a lively interest in the upcoming papal election, with the selection of the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church becoming a hot betting market. From online platforms to casual wagers among friends, people around the globe are eagerly placing bets on who will be the successor to Pope Francis.
A Golden Ticket for Betting Sites
The popularity of this unique betting market has surpassed prominent events like the Europa League soccer tournament and Formula One drivers' championship, according to Sam Eaton, U.K. manager for Oddschecker, a leading online platform analyzing odds across various betting markets. Hundreds of thousands of people from 140 countries have visited Oddschecker to check the odds for each cardinal hoping to become the next pope, with the United Kingdom, Ireland, and United States leading the pack.
In the United Kingdom, approximately Β£30,000 has been wagered with one leading online betting platform in anticipation of the conclave, although it's still significantly less than the Β£1.2 million bet on the Eurovision contest. Yet, the betting market for the papal election is growing rapidly as the conclave draws near.
A Regulated and Illegal Betting Frenzy
Betting on elections, papal conclaves, and global events is virtually a tradition in the United Kingdom, yet it remains prohibited in the United States. While some illegal betting platforms have attracted $10 million in pope bets so far, legal betting operators like BetMGM have decided to keep a clear distance from the market.
A Fun and Competitive Fantasy Game
In Italy, betting on religious events is strictly forbidden, but people still engage in friendly wagers with the equivalent of $20 on their favorite cardinal, with the loser treating the winner to dinner or pizza night out. Others participate in an online game called Fantapapa, which mirrors popular fantasy football and soccer leagues. Over 60,000 individuals have joined the fun, each drafting a team of 11 cardinals they believe have the best chance of becoming the next pope.
The top choices for Fantapapa players include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. Italian student Federico La Rocca joined the game at his father's suggestion, choosing Tagle based on his gentle demeanor. As with online wagers, the popularity of Fantapapa is set to soar as the conclave approaches.
A Mixed Bag of Concerns
While the game and some of the bets have a casual and entertaining aspect, gambling advocates have raised concerns about the growing popularity of all manner of gambling. A study last fall found that 10% of young men in the United States display problematic gambling behavior, with similar worries arising in other countries as well.
Religious concerns also exist, with some considering gambling around sacred events like the papal conclave as having the potential to become a form of enslavement and actively going against the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Yet, whether excited about winning big or participating in the friendly competition of Fantapapa, people worldwide continue to show a keen interest in the process of electing the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Ironically, despite the prohibition of betting on elections in the United States, illegal betting platforms have attracted millions in pope bets.
- The online game Fantapapa, akin to fantasy football and soccer leagues, has garnered over 60,000 players who draft their predicted successors to the papacy.
- The tremendous interest in betting on the papal conclave surpasses major events like the Europa League soccer tournament and Formula One drivers' championship, according to gambling analysts.
- Sites like Oddschecker have seen hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the globe placing bets on the cardinals vying for the papal throne, with the United Kingdom, Ireland, and United States leading in wagers.
