http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Apr14/0,4670,ODDSGlobalWarmingBets,00.html
An online gambling service has started taking bets on global warming, including whether it can submerge some of the East Coast's top vacation spots.
The odds that Virginia's Cape Henry will be under water by 2015 _ 200-to-1 at BetUs.com. Its odds for Cape Hatteras flooding by the same date _ 300-to-1.
Don't bet on it, says Phil Roehrs, a coastal engineer for the city of Virginia Beach. Roehrs said although sea levels are rising along the East Coast, scientists are not predicting anywhere near the levels and dates provided by the gambling service.
"No wonder the odds are so good," Roehrs said.
That hasn't stopped bettors from taking a chance. About 3,000 placed bets during the first three days on online booking, said Reed Richards, a spokesman for BetUs.com.
Most gamblers on the site have put down money that Manhattan will be submerged before New Year's Eve 2011.
"Don't ask me why," Richards said.
I find it hard to believe that anyone would put down money to get paid back 1/2% several years down the road. Alas, there might be at least 3,000 folks like that roaming the planet.
An online gambling service has started taking bets on global warming, including whether it can submerge some of the East Coast's top vacation spots.
The odds that Virginia's Cape Henry will be under water by 2015 _ 200-to-1 at BetUs.com. Its odds for Cape Hatteras flooding by the same date _ 300-to-1.
Don't bet on it, says Phil Roehrs, a coastal engineer for the city of Virginia Beach. Roehrs said although sea levels are rising along the East Coast, scientists are not predicting anywhere near the levels and dates provided by the gambling service.
"No wonder the odds are so good," Roehrs said.
That hasn't stopped bettors from taking a chance. About 3,000 placed bets during the first three days on online booking, said Reed Richards, a spokesman for BetUs.com.
Most gamblers on the site have put down money that Manhattan will be submerged before New Year's Eve 2011.
"Don't ask me why," Richards said.
I find it hard to believe that anyone would put down money to get paid back 1/2% several years down the road. Alas, there might be at least 3,000 folks like that roaming the planet.
