Latest news with #Oddschecker
Scotsman
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Who is the favourite to win BGT 2025? Latest odds
Britain's Got Talent has got a firm frontrunner as the show nears the 2025 grand final. There is just one more semi-final to take place after last night's (May 18) episode. Eight acts have now made it through to the show's conclusion later this month. But three more places - including a wildcard - are still up for grabs. The golden buzzer has returned for the semi-finals this year - in a series first twist. It has massively changed the way the live shows play out. Ahead of the fifth semi-final this week, Oddschecker has compiled the list of favourites to win the show. We've pulled together the frontrunners from longest to shortest odds. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers. 1 . Vinnie McKee - 18/1 Singer Vinnie McKee has made it to the BGT final after winning the public vote in one of the semi-finals. He is 18/1 to win via Oddschecker. | ITV/Thames Photo: ITV/Thames Photo Sales 2 . Ping Pong Pang - 16/1 Italian dance troupe Ping Pong Pang won the public vote in the third semi-final. They are 16/1 to win via Oddschecker. | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales 3 . Jasmine Rice - 14/1 Drag Queen/ Opera singer Jasmine Rice is among the finalists for BGT 2025. She is 14/1 to win via Oddschecker. | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales 4 . Olly Pearson - 14/1 11-year-old guitarist Olly Pearson sailed through to the BGT final after getting a golden buzzer in the semi-final. He is 14/1 to win via Oddschecker | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Odds of Winning Nobel Prize Climb
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump has the best odds of winning this year's Nobel Peace Prize, according to new data released by a large oddsmaker. Why It Matters On March 5, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee announced that 338 candidates have been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, including 244 individuals and 94 organizations—a drastic increase from the 286 nominees in 2024. Four U.S. presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt (1906), Woodrow Wilson (1919), Jimmy Carter (2002) and Barack Obama (2009). What To Know Trump has been nominated multiple times for the prize over the years, including by U.S. and Ukrainian lawmakers as well as members of Norwegian and Finnish parliaments—all previously crediting the first Trump administration's Abraham Accords treaty in September 2020 that normalized Middle East relations and was signed by Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. President Donald Trump arrives to address troops at the Al-Udeid air base southwest of Doha, Qatar, on May 15, 2025. President Donald Trump arrives to address troops at the Al-Udeid air base southwest of Doha, Qatar, on May 15, 2025. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images Earlier this year, weeks into Trump's second term, Republican Representative Darrell Issa of California nominated him for the prize even though nominations had closed January 31—effectively nominating the president for the 2026 prize. Oddschecker, an online betting platform that includes more than 80 bookmakers and is licensed and regulated by the U.K. Gambling Commission, said Trump was the favorite to take home the prize this year as betting trends were unveiled for the first time. Oddschecker spokesperson Leon Blackman told Newsweek that the market went live across its platform on Wednesday morning between 10 a.m. and noon BST, five hours ahead of EST. Trump was listed as the favorite, garnering +650 odds (13/2) with a 13.3 percent implied probability of winning. In the 24 hours following the betting market going live on the platform, 97 percent of all bets backed Trump to win. The president is ahead of other nominees, including WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who sits at +700 odds (7/1) and Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, whose odds are +900 (9/1). Blackman said that those who make up the betting markets are either already nominated for the award or those whom the oddsmakers believe could be nominated down the line. Currently, Oddschecker has seen more than 1,000 bets placed on the Nobel Peace Prize market in the past day. "The 97 percent is certainly higher than we would've expected," Blackman said. "However, with Trump being clearly the most household name on this list, it's not surprisingly to see him heavily backed. "I am more surprised to see the odds holding out at 6/1 and not shortening over the past 24 hours." Polymarket, an American cryptocurrency-based prediction market, as of Thursday showed Trump with an 8 percent chance of winning the prize. The Nobel Committee does not confirm the names of nominees to the media or the candidates. The highest number of nominees, 376, occurred in 2016. What People Are Saying California Representative Darrell Issa spokesperson Jonathan Wilcox told Newsweek in March: "Congressman Issa is calling attention to the astonishingly effective impact that our 47th president has had in only a few short months since his election: cooling tensions, establishing dialogue and encouraging the flourishing of freedom in practically every corner of the world and on behalf of the cause of peace." What Happens Next Trump's efforts in Gaza to achieve peace between the Israelis and Hamas, as well as a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, could impact his Nobel candidacy in many ways between now and the announcement of the winner. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate(s) will be announced on October 10, with an award ceremony December 10 in Oslo, Norway.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
After two conclave votes, betting odds settle on one cardinal as Pope Francis' successor
After two conclave votes, betting odds settle on one cardinal as Pope Francis' successor Ever since Pope Francis died on April 21, Cardinal Pietro Parolin has been bettors' favorite as his successor. But, not surprisingly, what gamblers think and what 133 cardinals decide can be completely different. Parolin's probability of becoming the next pope based on online bets has risen as high as 40% in recent days, but the most probable cardinal wasn't the one selected a dozen years ago. On Wednesday, the cardinals began the papal conclave at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. "Outsiders shouldn't be discounted in the next pope betting market," Sam Eaton, U.K. manager for Oddschecker, wrote Tuesday in an email. "Back in 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was 50/1 (2% probability) just two days before being elected.' When does the 2025 conclave resume? Smoke times, full schedule for May 8 Where the odds stand for the next pope on different betting markets Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. Could Cardinal Jose Tolentino de Mendonça from Portugal be the next long shot elected to the papacy? Eaton said de Mendonça has accounted for 7% of all bets placed on Oddschecker in the past month, but he still has 50/1 odds and the 12th most likely candidate based on betting on their site. So if betting markets failed to predict that Francis would become pope in 2013, how good an indicator are the millions of dollars of bets currently being placed around the world? Harry Crane, a Rutgers University statistics professor, studies election outcomes and the predictions made by betting markets. He doesn't expect conclave betting markets to rival the accuracy of those predicting events like elections, which offer vast amounts polling and other data, and draw billions of dollars in bets. But he does think there's a good chance they have narrowed down the field. "Does it have more predictability than if you just picked one out of 130 cardinals, and you gave them all the same chance of winning? I would say 'yeah probably.' "If you have specific information about five of the cardinals, or maybe one or two specific ones, you could get quite a bit of information about what's going to happen," Crane said. "There's only 130 of them." Who are the favorites to be the next pope Within hours of Francis' death, betting on sites such as Polymarket, a cypto trading platform, pushed Parolin, a compromise candidate between progressives and conservatives, ahead of the rest of the potential candidates. He remains the favorite in most betting markets. Who could become the next pope? Details about the top candidates to become Francis' successor: Cardinal Pietro Parolin Position: Vatican diplomat Nationality: Italian Age: 70 What else? Parolin is seen as a compromise candidate between progressives and conservatives. He has been a church diplomat for most of his life and was Francis' secretary of state (often called the 'deputy pope') since 2013, the year Francis was elected. Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle Position: Former archbishop of Manila Nationality: Filipino Age: 67 What else? Tagle is often called the 'Asian Francis' because of his similar commitment to social justice. If elected he would be the first modern-era pope from Asia. Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson Position: Vatican official; president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace Nationality: Ghanaian Age: 76 What else? Turkson's background includes tending to congregations in Ghana in addition to leading several Vatican offices. He comes from one of the most dynamic regions of the church, which is struggling against secularism in its European heartlands. He would be the first pope from sub-Saharan Africa. Matteo Maria Zuppi Position: Archbishop of Bologna Nationality: Italian Age: 69 What else? Zuppi is called 'the Italian Bergoglio' because of his affinity with Francis. Zuppi is known as a "street priest" who focuses on migrants and the poor and cares little about pomp and protocol. He would be the first Italian pope since 1978. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa Position: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Nationality: Italian Age: 59 What else? Pizzaballa has served in Jerusalem and has advocated for peace in the Middle East. He has criticized the Hamas invasion of Israel and Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza. His relative youth may hurt his chance of being selected. Cardinal Peter Erdo Position: Former president of the Council of Bishops Conferences of Europe Nationality: Hungarian Age: 72 What else? Erdo is seen as another compromise candidate. He ranks as a conservative in theology but is also considered pragmatic. He never clashed openly with Francis, unlike other tradition-minded clerics.
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Gamblers bet millions on who will be the next Pope
While cardinals take part in the solemn conclave to elect the next pope, a less traditional activity is gaining momentum: betting on who will lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. From online platforms to friendly wagers, guessing the next pontiff has become a global pastime, surpassing even major sporting events in popularity. The intrigue surrounding the papal election has fuelled a surge in betting activity, according to experts and participants. Sam Eaton, UK manager for Oddschecker, a platform analysing odds across various markets, noted the unprecedented global interest. "There's a huge level of interest globally," he said. "I don't think we've had a market like this where we've had so many countries interested in seeing odds." The papal election's betting popularity has even eclipsed the Europa League and Formula One races, according to Oddschecker data. Around the world, thousands of bets on the next pope Hundreds of thousands of people from some 140 countries have visited Oddschecker to review each cardinal's chances of becoming the next pope, Mr Eaton said. He noted special eagerness in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States. In the UK, about £30,000 (almost US$40,000) had been wagered with one leading online betting platform as of last week, Mr Eaton said – a far cry from £1.2 million on the singing contest Eurovision but still noteworthy as a trend, with the conclave days away. 'Betting on the next pope is definitely a niche market in the grand scheme of things, but it generates global interest,' said Lee Phelps, a spokesman for William Hill, one of the UK's biggest bookmakers. 'Since April 21, we've taken thousands of bets, and it's the busiest of all our non-sports betting markets,' said Mr Phelps, who expected a surge in interest once the conclave began on Wednesday. Betting on elections, papal conclaves and all manner of global events is almost a tradition of its own in the UK, but such betting is not legal in the United States. BetMGM, one of the world's top sports-betting companies, said it would not have any bets up. But Mr Eaton noted that in the unregulated, illegal space, one of the biggest sites had US$10 million wagered so far in pope bets. Fantasy 'teams' of cardinals In Italy, betting on the papal election – and all religious events – is forbidden. Some people in Rome are making friendly, informal wagers – the equivalent of $20 on a favorite cardinal, with the loser pledging to host a dinner or buy a pizza night out. Others are turning to an online game called Fantapapa, or Fantasy Pope, which mimics popular fantasy football and soccer leagues. More than 60,000 people are playing, each choosing 11 cardinals – as if for a soccer team – whom they believe have the best shot at becoming the next pope. They also draft the top contender, or captain. As with online wagers, the No. 1 choice for fantasy players has been Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, closely followed by Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. 'It's a really fun game to play with friends and have a laugh,' Italian student Federico La Rocca, 23, said. 'Initially my dad sent it to me ironically, but now that it's going to be the conclave, I decided to have a go and try it.' Mr La Rocca said he chose Cardinal Tagle because 'he looks like a nice guy and fun person'. Players' selections determine the number of points they rake in. But what's the jackpot? 'Eternal glory,' joked Mauro Vanetti, who created the game when Francis was hospitalised earlier this year. Mr Vanetti said he and his co-founder are against gambling, but they wanted to create something fun around the event. 'It seems like in Italy there's a certain inquisitiveness about the mechanisms of the Catholic hierarchy, but it's a critical curiosity, a sarcastic and playful curiosity, so we were interested in this jesting spirit for such a solemn event,' Mr Vanetti said. 'In some ways it deflates the sacredness, in a nonaggressive way.' Some concerns about betting on a solemn event Beyond simply picking who the next pope will be, players and gamblers also can guess how many tries it will take the cardinals to choose the leader, which day of the week he'll be elected, what new name he will decide on, or where his priorities will land on the progressive-conservative scale. While the game and some of the bets have a novel or fun nature, anti-gambling advocates have raised overall concerns about legal gaming and the growing popularity of wagering on all manner of events. A study published last fall found that 10 per cent of young men in the US show behaviour that indicates a gambling problem, which is a rising concern in other parts of the world, too. And for gambling around the papacy in general, some have raised religious concerns. Catholic teaching doesn't go so far as to call games of chance or wagers sinful, but its Catechism warns that 'the passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement'. It says gambling becomes 'morally unacceptable' if it gravely affects a person's livelihood.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pope betting goes digital: Inside Italy's viral Fantapapa game
As 133 cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel for the secret process of choosing the next pope, people around the world are doing something very different -- they're placing bets on who it might be. If you trust the betting public, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, is the most likely to be the next pope. Oddschecker, a betting odds website, shows him leading the pack, followed by Cardinal Luis Tagle from the Philippines, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi from Italy and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from Italy. However, Zuppi is the favorite on a popular Italian app called Fantapapa. It works like other fantasy sports leagues but for picking the next pope, and has become a sensation across Italy. MORE: Papal conclave live updates PHOTO: A view shows St. Peter's Basilica, ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope, as seen from Rome, Italy, May 6, 2025. (Amanda Perobelli/Reuters) "This game is a really fun game to play with friends and have a laugh," Federico La Rocca, a 23-year-old student, told ABC News. The game is simple: First, you create a team of cardinals, just like a fantasy league. Then you pick your team captain -- the cardinal you think will become pope. It's become a family affair for Alessandra Morisco, who said she plays in a league with her two daughters, mother and sister. "A lot of my friends are playing, even priests," Morisco told ABC News. "I think the power of this app is that it connects a serious task with an Italian way of taking things, with serenity and happiness. And it fosters a sense of community around this big historical event." Players can also predict the new pope's first words to the public, what name he will choose and how many failed votes it will take before a new pope is elected. PHOTO: People take pictures of the central loggia balcony at St. Peter's Basilica, where the name of the new pope will be announced and where he will give the Urbi and orbi at The Vatican, May 6, 2025. (Eloisa Lopez/Reuters) "I'm supporting [Cardinal Parolin]," Morisco said. "It's a funny way of saying that, of course, I would like to have him as pope, but it is not up to me -- it is the Holy Spirit that will decide." The app's creators, Pietro Pace and Mauro Vanetti, are surprised by its success. MORE: Who are the top contenders to be the next pope? "It's crazy for us. We developed a video game just for friends, not for everyone in Italy," Pace told ABC News. The pair rushed to develop Fantapapa in February, ahead of the conclave. "We don't even have a graphic designer," Vanetti said. "This is embarrassing, but there's no artists involved. So the cardinals, for example, I made them. They look a bit like my dog." While Fantapapa might be new, betting on popes isn't. Professor Leighton Vaughan Williams, who studies economics at Nottingham Business School, told ABC News that records of betting on the Pope can be traced back to 1503. "Roman bankers would take bets off merchants... they would get tips from inside the conclave of what might be going on," he said. "So, they'd be able to set the odds." Today's pope betting market is bigger than ever. Oddschecker reports that more than 300,000 people from 140 countries have checked their site for odds. While betting on the pope isn't allowed on regulated U.S. sportsbooks, Oddschecker estimates people have bet over $17 million on unregulated sites. Some Catholic Church officials have called betting on the pope "indecent and shameful." However, Morisco told ABC News she didn't feel any Catholic guilt about playing Fantapapa. "I think it can make stronger the relationship with our religion," she said. "While we wait, we can pray or play." Unlike betting sites, Fantapapa doesn't involve any money -- app co-creator Pace suggested it offers a greater reward. "If you win the FantaPapa, you can have eternal glory," he said. "This is one important prize." Pope betting goes digital: Inside Italy's viral Fantapapa game originally appeared on
