Eleven Lesser Known Events You Can Bet On

Some of these are relatively ordinary, such as who might win a reality show at an election or which film will scoop up the prizes at an awards ceremony. However, there are also some much more eclectic opportunities if you want to place a bet on the weird and wonderful events that could happen (theoretically).

Is There Life on Mars?

David Bowie might not have got the answer to the question, but it has not stopped humankind from continually wondering whether or not we are alone. Recent investigations and enquiries into possible UFO sitings in the US have refocused our minds on the subject. And if there is public interest, the bookies will always be happy to offer some odds. So, while we probably accept that ET is not going to phone home anytime soon, there have been odds on such things as:

•     Who will win the Human vs. Alien War?
•     Which celebrity will the Aliens abduct first
•     Where will the Aliens land, and which country will they head for?

Incoming Meteors

It is possible to place a bet on a meteor striking Earth and causing mass destruction. No one is sure what the point of cashing in this bet would be, as the punter would not be around to spend it. However, if you feel like it, you can wager on a meteor striking Buckingham Palace by the end of 2023. The chances might be small of it happening, but if you find the prospect entertaining, you can probably find a bookie who will take your money.

Fine Dining

If the last two categories of bets were on the chance of something obscure happening or not happening, betting on reality TV is a certainty. Someone will win; the skill comes in deciding who it will be. The most popular TV show for Aussie punters to bet on is MasterChef. If you want to compare what bets are available, look for MasterChef odds on aussiebet.com. Beginners are advised to check out expert betting tips, while more seasoned gamblers can make their way straight to the best bookies.

Not Always Plain Sailing 

The drama we see on TV screens can also play out behind the scenes, and you can bet on which celebrities and TV stars will get divorced. With so many celebrity couples acting out their entire lives in print, social media and reality programs, it should be relatively easy to predict whose relationships are on the rocks. Anyone following celebrity gossip could easily make money from someone else's split. It could give a whole new meaning to a two-way bet.

Stormy Times

It is not only celebrity bust-ups that make for stormy times. The weather can also be popular for some people to wager on. Do you think the piece of seaweed hanging outside your door is a good indicator of incoming weather? Do you reckon you know when there is going to be thunder and lightning or an unseasonable hot or cold patch? If so, you can get odds for upcoming weather patterns and cash in, even if you get caught out without an umbrella. However, if you are good at predicting the weather, you would always know when to take yours with you.

Wife Carrying

Well, betting on this event takes two to tango. There is an annual Wife Carrying Championship in Sonkajarvi, Finland, where husbands carry their wives over a distance of around three football fields as fast as they possibly can. The contestants are all kitted out with helmets and belts and train for the event. Bets are placed, and this bizarre event attracts a good audience and much interest – and while one might assume that he with the lightest wife will be champion, this is not always the case.

Did Someone Say Cheese?

If you think wife-carrying is eccentric, wait until you hear about the annual cheese-rolling races that take place in Gloucester, England. Chasing cheese down a steep hill might have started as a regional race, but it is now an international pastime, and Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling is the biggest event in the class. Thousands of competitors chase enormous cheeses down the steep incline. If there is a race, there is a potential winner. Where there is a potential winner, there is the potential for a bet. 

Some People Prefer to Eat Their Cheese

Rather than running after cheese, competitive eaters try to gobble down as much of it and all sorts of other foodstuffs as they can. Sportsbooks offer bets on eating competitions held by Major League Eating. One of the most popular ones is Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. You can bet on how many hot dogs a competitor will eat as well as whether or not they will vomit. You will need a strong constitution to hold your nerve and clean up in the sector.

Financial and Economic Betting

If competitive eating all sounds a bit yucky, you might want to bet on something else volatile but potentially less messy. Many people claim the stock market is already a form of betting, so being able to bet on financial and economic markets might seem a little bizarre. However, bookies take bets on predicting economic futures or even a stock market crash. Many people believe that, like betting on Blackjack, financial betting is all about probability.

Political Betting

Political betting is prevalent, and you can place bets on who will become the leader of a country or when a war-torn country will collapse. You can even place a bet on which political figures will be arrested by the end of the year or of those arrested who will be charged. Most people bet on their 'own team', but a weathered political analyst can clean up in this arena, as political events can be some of the easiest ones to call. A political junkie can find themselves in the money even if the elected officials are not the ones of their choosing.

May Your God Go With You

Religious betting might seem to be a contradiction in terms; however, it does not stop it from happening. Many bookies offer odds on who the next Pope will be and what is the next Papal Name. Devout Catholics might have a heavenly insight, or maybe they just like to place some money in something other than the collection dish. You could say they were hedging their bets.