10°c Overcast
17°c Variable cloudiness
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Even money has next one from Italy -- but then there's Bieber
LONDON -- Bookmakers in betting-mad Britain are cashing in on the Roman Catholic conclave to select a new pope. Here's a look at the odds.
LEADING CONTENDERS
Cardinal Angelo Scola of Milan was leading the pack for many bookmakers. Ladbrokes had the Italian with odds of 2-1, while Paddy Power and William Hill both had him at 9-4.
"The money keeps coming for Scola and we've been forced to slash his odds," said Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes. "The closer we get to the conclave, it's harder to see an outsider causing an upset."
That helps explain why Paddy Power was taking bets that the next pope will hail from Italy at 1-1.
From there the race gets convoluted, but a few names stand out. William Hill said its original favourite, Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria, had fallen to odds of 40-1.
The betting house now has Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson in second place with odds of 7-2 and Brazil's Cardinal Odilo Scherer third at 4-1.
LONG SHOTS
There's little agreement on which cardinals are the longest shots. But among non-cardinal "contenders" one name keeps popping up: U2's Bono, a rock 'n' roller known for his charitable works and political activism.
The singer is listed with odds of 1,000-1 at Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and William Hill. Other names out of left field include Italian soccer star Mario Balotelli and pop sensation Justin Bieber, who are listed at 2,500-1 and 10,000-1, respectively.
SPENDING
Bookmakers are taking in significant sums. Paddy Power said since Pope Benedict XVI resigned, prognosticators have spent more than 500,000 pounds ($743,122) speculating on his replacement. Ladbrokes said about 10,000 pounds has been staked, with the figure expected to rise if the voting drags on.
SPEAKING OF HOW LONG...
People are also placing bets on how long it will take the cardinals to elect a pope. William Hill had Tuesday as the favourite, at 5-2, with 6-4 odds on Wednesday.
WHAT'S IN A NAME
Paddy Power's second-largest pope-related market is for what name Benedict's successor will take -- with Leo, Gregory and Pius among the most popular predictions. A 17th Benedict stood at a moderate 12-1; a first Pope Damian stood at 500-1.
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 13, 2013 A8
More World
- Back to Top
- Return to World
More World
(1 of 15 articles for today)
Authorities set to release 300 photos that police took in aftermath of Tucson shooting rampage
3:26 AM 0TUCSON, Ariz. - Authorities are set to release more than 300 photos on Tuesday that investigators took in the aftermath ...
Poll
Most Popular World
- Massive tornado roars through Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51
- Thousands of military sex abuse victims seek disability, health care after leaving service
- Tornado leads CBS to pull season-ending episode of 'Mike & Molly'
- US zoo looking into conception mystery after birth of anteater; no male in pen
- Phone cracked? Cool
- Umbrella-gate stirs outrage
- Tornado flattens buildings near Oklahoma City
- Sean Penn urges US to pressure Bolivia to free American businessman held nearly 2 years
- Gay man killed on street in New York
- Tornado warnings spanning Midwest, from Texas to Illinois, in wake of deadly Oklahoma twister
- Massive tornado roars through Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51
- Phone cracked? Cool
- US woman credits 'mother's instincts' in chase of 4-year-old daughter's abductor
- Black bear wanders into LA-area suburbia, chases swimmers from pool, strands kids in class
- Celebrities react to Angelina Jolie's revelation of double mastectomy
- Remote Alaska volcano continues to erupt, with lava fountains, ash plumes
- Umbrella-gate stirs outrage
- Jurors find Jodi Arias eligible for death penalty after murder conviction in boyfriend killing
- US zoo looking into conception mystery after birth of anteater; no male in pen
- Boston Marathon runners who couldn't finish because of blasts can return in 2014
- Amanda Berry, 1 of 3 women freed after held captive in Ohio home, arrives at sister's home
- Friendship with bomb suspect, complex chain of events leads to 3 being charged
- Police vow to solve shooting that wounded 19 people during Mother's Day parade in New Orleans
- Missing Pa. woman, last seen dropping off kids for school in 2002, surfaces in Fla.
- As Boston mourns, suspected brothers' radicalism comes into focus
- Cleveland police: Ohio captive suffered 5 miscarriages after being beaten and starved
- Massive tornado roars through Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51
- Jodi Arias convicted of first-degree murder, says she prefers death penalty
- Neighbours: Man in custody comforted missing girl's mom, helped search for missing US women
- Parents of Boston suspect say he travelled to Russia to visit relatives, sleep a lot
- Black bear wanders into LA-area suburbia, chases swimmers from pool, strands kids in class
- Phone cracked? Cool
- Man charged after overnight feast in closed Kentucky supermarket
- Celebrities react to Angelina Jolie's revelation of double mastectomy
- Lawyer: Saudi man travelling with pressure cooker didn't know device used in Boston bombings
- Hatchet-wielding hitchhiker who intervened in California attack arrested in NJ homicide
- Remote Alaska volcano continues to erupt, with lava fountains, ash plumes
- Shady characters: Cookie Monster, Elmo accused of aggressive behaviour in Times Square
- U.S. envoy punted; Russia alleges spying
- 16 tornadoes wallop North Texas, 6 dead; Habitat homes among many devastated in 1 subdivision
- 'Coronation Street' actor William Roache charged in UK over alleged rapes in 1967
- Coroner: 5-year-old boy shoots 2-year-old sister in US with rifle he got as a gift
- Hitler ate well, his food taster recalls
- Black bear wanders into LA-area suburbia, chases swimmers from pool, strands kids in class
- Female guards, rapidly growing in numbers, at heart of U.S. prison scandal
- Phone cracked? Cool
- Bill to alter rules of succession before Kate gives birth nears completion as Lords approve
- US tourists swim for nearly 14 hours after boat sinks near St. Lucia
- IBM makes movie about a little boy - a very little boy - by pushing molecules around
- Friendship with bomb suspect, complex chain of events leads to 3 being charged
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.