Two of Australia's largest bookmakers are refusing to pay out on OBAMA

5teamparlay · Nov 7, 2008

Australia bookies hold Obama payout on death fears

<ABBR class=recenttimedate title=2008-11-07T16:04:08-0800>2 hrs 45 mins ago</ABBR>
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Two of Australia's largest bookmakers are refusing to pay out on bets that Barack Obama would win the U.S. presidential election, citing fears he could be assassinated before his inauguration, a report said Saturday.
The two bookmakers, Sportsbet and Centrebet, told the Sydney Morning Herald they would not pay out on the bets until the first African-American U.S. president takes office in January.
A spokesman for Centrebet told the paper it was a matter of policy.
The Herald said its story was prompted by a punter who said a senior official at Sportsbet had refused to pay out on a bet citing assassination fears.
Sportsbet chief executive Matt Tripp denied this was the company's main concern.
"God forbid he has a stroke or gets hit by a bus," Tripp told the paper. "I love the bloke. I want to pay out on him. I think he is good for America and good for the world."
Bullet-proof screens were put up on stage when Obama made his victory speech to jubilant supporters in a Chicago park.
Two white supremacist skinheads were arrested in the U.S. state of Tennessee in October over plans shoot Obama, although the plot appeared unsophisticated.
Irish bookmaker Paddy Power was so sure of the election outcome that it paid out Obama-backers in October.
Other Australian bookmakers have paid out on Obama's victory, the Herald said.

BAGIANT · Nov 7, 2008

I don't understand how they can do that since he obviously WON the Presidential election. That's what the prop was all about wasn't it? It probably didn't mention IF he took office or not! I say they have to pay up! Since they are regulated by the Australian government, they should lose their license if they don't pay up!

N.I.B. · Nov 7, 2008

fuckin panzee asses aint gonna happen...

jwblue · Nov 7, 2008

Weak.

punter · Nov 7, 2008

stuckinvegas said:
I don't understand how they can do that since he obviously WON the Presidential election. That's what the prop was all about wasn't it? It probably didn't mention IF he took office or not! I say they have to pay up! Since they are regulated by the Australian government, they should lose their license if they don't pay up!

I agree. Its not like McCain is going to win so they are hoping to collect both ways.

Crooks.

Presto · Nov 8, 2008

Technically the state electors have not voted yet. They will vote on Dec. 15th to make this an official election.
I know that doesn't change the outcome, but protocol must be followed.

gtc08 · Nov 8, 2008

thats a stiff if ive ever seen one lol

D2bets · Nov 8, 2008

Did they explain this policy when they created the market? If not, then they are either crooks or idiots. It was well-accepted that the prop was gradeable when the winner was clear and enough states certified. If they're going to have a very different policy, then it was incumbent on them to make that known.

sumday · Nov 8, 2008

he won the election and that's plain and clear. they are ripoffs. how pathetic. they are the ones that should be asissinated..dumbasses

ProPokerPlayer · Nov 8, 2008

I dont think the bet goes final until the electoral college meets....I dont blame them i wouldnt trust Biden either...

Jabow · Nov 8, 2008

Technically, they are right, he is NOT THE PRESIDENT, George Bush is,
unfortunate but true, at this very moment the president is not Barack Obama, so the winnings cannot be paid until he is officially the President,

and for example, lets say team a playing team b in a football game, in the 4th quarter, team A has 14 points and team b 54 points there is 5 minutes to go, you still dont have a winner until the final whistle even though its quite obvious who won.

There are technicalities in there, teasers, parlays, this and that.

TTinCO · Nov 8, 2008

Technically, I guess there is a difference between "Obama will win the U.S. presidential election" and "Obama wil be the next president".

Sounds like a bunch of BS to me....they probably lost their ass & want to collect a couple months of interest on the $.

Jabow · Nov 8, 2008

no matter how you slice it, Barack Obama IS NOT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES at this very moment,until January 2009, check your calender its 2008, no matter what you say, he IS NOT THE PRESIDENT, he will be, but HE IS NOT I repeat NOT< NOT the PRESIDENT.

Being the only son of the King do make you a king in waiting, no matter what don't it? , but the King would have to die or make you the king.

As a matter of FACT!

If you guys were on a game show RIGHT NOW!,
and the question for 10 million bucks, and they ask you, who;s the President of the UNITED STATES, please be retarded and Say Obama, lol

Santo · Nov 8, 2008

I believe these bookies were offering multiple options, including Biden, Palin, Clinton etc right up until the election. If that is correct, then what they're doing is absolutely right, as the only way these latter choices could win is if the presidential nominee was unable to take office.

cutacrossshorty · Nov 8, 2008

If they stand to lose enough, it may be cheaper to put a hit out on him instead of paying.

2PLAYSMAX · Nov 8, 2008

bullshit....some should destroy their dam facilities.

D2bets · Nov 8, 2008

Santo said:
I believe these bookies were offering multiple options, including Biden, Palin, Clinton etc right up until the election. If that is correct, then what they're doing is absolutely right, as the only way these latter choices could win is if the presidential nominee was unable to take office.

Intrade had multiple options and they graded the markets.

go2guy · Nov 8, 2008

Shady ass mfers! Probably got their assess handed to them.

go2guy · Nov 8, 2008

Some of you dumbasses are in denial along with the books who refuse to pay. Read very carefully:

Barack Obama would win the U.S. presidential election

He won plain and simple. Even a retard could figure this out. I don't want to hear shit about him dying before taking office and electoral college. He won the election plain and simple. Pay the people their fucking money!

Santo · Nov 8, 2008

There is a difference between winning the presidential election and being the next president (in fact, many places they were two different markets).

If something was to happen, in Australia punters would go to the regulator and the bookie would have to pay on whoever was the next president as well as Obama, it makes no sense to risk that.