Harris Emerges as Betting Favorite in Presidential Election Odds After Campaign

The race for the White House is heating up, with Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris now positioned as the slight favorite over Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump in betting odds.

In the past three weeks, Harris has surged ahead in popularity, particularly as she and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have actively campaigned in crucial swing states. This dynamic period has sparked significant interest in the election, particularly from sports bookmakers, despite legal limitations on U.S. sportsbooks regarding betting on political outcomes.

Initially, Trump held an advantage with odds of -200, while Harris was at +200 according to Bet365. However, the latest odds show a notable shift, with Harris now favored at -125 and Trump even at +100 as of late Sunday.

Harris’s momentum gained further traction on Thursday when the odds from Betfair Exchange showed her overtaking Trump. This shift came on the heels of Trump’s press conference, which appeared to negatively impact his betting outlook.

Sam Rosbottom, a spokesperson for Betfair Exchange, commented on the changing landscape: “The past three weeks have shown her defying expectations again and again, with punters gaining more confidence that she can credibly challenge Trump in November. Will she maintain her momentum with the punters? Time will tell.”

This developing situation underscores the unpredictable nature of political campaigns and the interest they generate among betting enthusiasts. The ups and downs of the candidates’ odds reflect the ongoing uncertainties surrounding the election.

As the election date approaches, the following betting odds have been noted from various platforms as of August 11:

• Bet 365: Harris at -125, Trump at EVEN
• Betfair Exchange: Harris at -105, Trump at +120
• Bovada: Harris at -105, Trump at +120
• BetOnline: Harris at -125, Trump at +105
• Oddschecker: Harris at -104, Trump at +115

The historical accuracy of betting odds in presidential elections reveals that the favorite has only lost twice since 1866. Notable upsets occurred in 1948, when Harry Truman triumphed against Thomas Dewey despite unfavorable odds, and in 2016, when Trump emerged victorious against Hillary Clinton. In contrast, Joe Biden held the position of betting favorite during the 2020 election cycle from May until the election in November.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, many are watching closely to see if Harris can maintain her lead in the betting markets as the election draws nearer.

In light of this fluctuating situation, it is crucial for interested parties to remain informed about the dynamics of the race while participating responsibly in betting activities.

Source: USA Today