There are endless questions on people’s minds these days. Is Paula Abdul going to pass out on “American Idol”?
Is Katie Holmes going to marry her baby-daddy, Tom Cruise?
Is President Bush going to bomb Iran?
Could all this stuff get any wilder?
You bet.
These are just a few of the questions that are drawing thousands of dollars in wagers at offshore online gambling Web sites, such as youwager.com.
“When we see something that we think people will have a difference of opinion on, we figure, let’s put it up (on the site) and give people something to bet on,” said Freddy Harris, general manager of youwager.com, in a phone interview from his office in San Jose, Costa Rica.
It seems like a stretch, and it most certainly is, but it all goes back to the notion of putting your money where your mouth is.
Youwager.com started making these types of bets available when competing Web sites did the same a few years ago. These nonsports bets generally started with wagers on reality shows, such as “Survivor” and “American Idol.”
But now they’re treading new territory, including propositions such as whether another state will pass an anti-abortion law within three months, and whether civil war will erupt between Hamas and Fatah.
“We had a lot of money bet on the U.S. presidential election,” Harris said. “We happened to win that one because more people put money on John Kerry.”
Harris is ready for the critics who’d say such wagers border on heresy.
“When they talk about these things on ‘Meet the Press,’ the only thing they don’t do is put odds on them,” Harris said. “People have opinions on these things, and if they believe they have the right opinion, they can win some money.”
So, where would the boss put his cash?
On whether Abdul will check into rehab before the end of the “Idol” season (5-to-1 odds): “I would bet ‘no’ on that one,” he said. “Somehow they’ll prop her up for the next several weeks.”
Agreed. She’s great for ratings. It’s like that old TV show, “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” except, you know, the kids weren’t drunk.
On a U.S. preemptive against Iran by July 10 (10-to-1 odds): “I think that’s a possibility. It’s unlikely to happen, but … if Bush’s popularity keeps sinking and he sees it as a good political strategy, or, God forbid, Iran does something out of line; it might be worth risking $100 to win $1000,” Harris said.
Agreed. Besides, why should Halliburton be the only one to cash in?
On Cruise and Holmes tying the knot by May 10 (2-to-1 odds): “The deadline is May 10, so I think ‘no’ is probably the best bet on the board right now. Not in the next four weeks.”
Does a silent wedding count?
Columnist Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
Victor’s Bottom 5
As questions swirl around the future of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, here’s hoping these five couples can work it out:
5. Brad and Angelina. She can’t possibly carry all those toys and diapers around the world alone.
4. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. They pretend to like each other. What’s really going on?
3. Chad Lowe and Hilary Swank. OK, I really don’t care. Just giving Chad a little pub.
2. Jake Gyllenhaal and his orientation. Pick a side, dude.
1. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Watch reruns of “The Simple Life.” Experience the magic that once was.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
