by Dan Adkisson
Betting on the outcome of games and events has been a human pastime for as long as history can remember. Dice rolls, card games, sporting contests, and world events are regularly used as subjects for gambling all around the world.
Most of us know we can bet on a horse race, roulette spin, or hockey game whenever we choose. What you might not know is the list of things it is possible to bet on is far, far wider.
Here are five of the most interesting things you can bet on today:
Wife carrying
That’s right, you can bet on the ability of a person to carry their spouse. Wife-carrying races are held in many European nations such as Ireland and Finland, and you can bet on the winners.
In these races, wives must be carried across obstacles, sometimes with weights used to handicap lighter couples or previous winners. The winning couple could win the wife’s weight in beer, but you could win a handsome return on your stake.
Politics
It could be said that voting in itself is a gamble as you’re electing someone based on incomplete information. If you place a bet and predict an election correctly, however, at least the win might soften any future disappointment.
Today, it is possible to bet on the outcome of almost any election, no matter what level of politics. The question is – do you stay true to your principles or bet against them, so any loss comes with compensation?
Cheese rolling
Another bizarre event you can bet on, this time from Gloucester in the southwest of England. Each spring, locals gather to roll huge wheels of cheese down a hill and race them to the bottom.
It’s dangerous, often resulting in painful falls and broken bones, but it looks like a lot of fun. You can join in by betting on the winner, whether that be the most athletic human or the fastest-rolling cheese.
Royalty
Levels of obsession with the British Royal Family seem to be at a new peak in recent years. Deaths, marriages, coronations, births, and scandals have led to almost non-stop press coverage of their actions all across the globe.
When anything gets this much media attention, bookmakers will always seek to capitalize on it. From the names of regal newborns to the color a princess wears at an engagement, you can bet on it.
Aliens and the apocalypse
For those who like their gambling to be as outlandish as possible, why not bet on out-of-this-world events? Bookmakers are happy to take wagers on when or where aliens will first land, or where they will come from.
You can also bet on what day the world as we know it will end, or what will cause it. Admittedly, you might find it more difficult to claim your winning payout when it comes to correctly predicting armageddon.
No matter what bizarre event or occurrence you choose to bet on, the important thing is to do it safely. By ensuring you place your wager with a registered, licensed, and trusted platform, you know you’re in safe hands.
For the highest quality experience and enhanced safety, betting on regulated online casino games can be a prudent choice. Organizations such as BonusFinder US help you do this by updating the sites regularly with the best providers and bonuses.
Betting of all types, from casino slots to cheese rolling, is a hugely popular activity all around the world. In 2022, the global gambling industry was worth over $60 billion, a figure expected to exceed $114 billion by 2028.
But what is it people find so appealing about betting?
The thrill of taking a risk
For most, the prime motivation for betting is the thrill and anticipation of taking a risk with potentially high rewards. Many are reluctant to take big chances in our day-to-day lives and betting provides a safer way to experience this.
The distraction of escape
As with many pastimes we enjoy, betting takes us away from the repetition and stress of our everyday lives. It’s a way to escape in a controlled manner and ease the pressures we are carrying for a short time.
Enjoying glamorous situations
Some of the most desirable betting experiences place us in glamorous and novel settings and atmospheres. Dressing up to attend a big race event or stepping into a luxurious casino is all part of the appeal.
Getting together
Betting can be a solitary activity, but it can also provide a great platform for social experiences with friends. Whether attending casinos or gathering around a TV for the Super Bowl, betting can be a focus for coming together.
However, we do it, and whatever event we place at its center, betting is enjoyed by millions every day, everywhere. So long as it is done safely, using trustworthy platforms, why not make it as interesting and varied as possible?