Election betting is not new. In fact, Las Vegas oddsmaker Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder gained fame and credibility (which later led to a spot on CBS’ NFL preview show) when, after noting that women did not trust men who wore mustaches, boldly predicted that underdog incumbent President Harry S. Truman would defeat New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey in the race for the Oval Office in 1948. Or so the story goes.

The irony is that Nevada sportsbooks do not accept wagers on elections. The often cited reason is not that, like entertainment award voting such as the Oscars, that someone knows the results of the balloting in advance, but that there is something queasy about mixing gambling and politics.

Yeah, right.

Certainly, most online sportsbooks outside the jurisdiction of the Silver State have little difficulty in posting futures on who will win the next four-year lease at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The process, which should come to a conclusion when delegate-rich states such as California, New York and Florida vote next February, already is underway with 10 Republicans and eight Democrats vying for the prize. Each party field could grow and there also is the possibility for a fusion ticket or an independent candidacy.

Generally, online sportsbooks attack the 2008 election in one of three ways. The simplest way is to post a generic proposition on which party will win the White House. Led by a President with record low approval ratings and saddled with an increasingly unpopular war in Iraq, the Republicans are clear underdogs to maintain control in 2008, usually listed as +140 underdogs (bet $100 to win $140). On the other hand, Democrats, with their base more energetic and independent voters tracking in their direction, are quoted as -160 favorites (bet $160 to win $100) to regain control of the Oval Office.

Could someone unaligned with either of the major parties, such as an independent or a third party candidate, win? You can get +5250 on that remote possibility.

Many online sportsbooks also boast separate future books for Democrats and Republicans. Although she voted to authorize the Iraq war, a very unpopular position among party activists, New York Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton heads the list of Democrats, usually at odds around 4/5. Representing a younger generation, Illinois Senator Barack Obama is the clear second choice at 5/2 with former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, 5/1, and as yet unannounced candidate, former Vice President Al Gore, offered from a low of 4/1 to a high of 10/1. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who widely is viewed as an ideal vice presidential choice, Senators Chris Dodd (CT) and Joe Biden (DE), former Senator Mike Gravel (Alaska) and Congressman Dennis Kucinich, are longshots.

Despite holding liberal to moderate views on many social issues, such as abortion, gay rights and gun control, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is a 7/5 favorite to get the nod of the largely conservative GOP to run for President. Arizona Senator John McCain, who holds an unpopular position on immigration, is the 5/2 second choice with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, whose positions have evolved (his detractors would say “flip-flopped”) is quoted at 4/1 with former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson likely to enter the race in July at about the same odds as Romney.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, would enter the race at about 15/1 should he diced to run, ahead of previously announced candidates such as former Governors Mike Huckabee (AK) and Tommy Thompson WI), Senator Sam Brownback (KS), and Representatives Duncan Hunter, Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo.

Senator Chuck Hagel (NE), 30/1, could enter the race as either a Republican or as an independent.

The third way online sportsbooks offer Presidential election futures is to lump all the candidates together in one massive book. The difference between this type of book and the separate party books is the same as the difference between World Series and pennant futures; more risk but more reward in going for the whole enchilada.

Clinton is the favorite in the big book, usually at about 2/1. Giuliani checks in next at odds of 7/2 with Obama at 4/1, McCain at 6/1, Romney and Gore at 8/1.

As the 2008 election draws nearer, many online sportsbooks will add key Senate, House and Governor races to their wagering menu, providing even more options to election betting.

This article was written by Karol Luca for [http://www.thegreek.com-The] Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com

You have probably heard about the world of online sports betting; maybe you’ve even wanted to step into the waters yourself. There are a lot of advantages to online sports betting, especially if you follow the different sporting events and are adept at weighing odds and taking chances. Of course, you can never know what will really happen when you lay money on the line, but if it is something you are interested in, you should start by finding a trustworthy place to which you can entrust your money. How do you do that? It starts by asking and answering the following worthwhile questions:

How long has an online sportsbook been in business? Survival over time is a testament to an online sportsbook’s trustworthiness. If that sportsbook offers an online sportsbook bonus, and actually delivers, that can be further incentive to make a deposit and get started winning.

How do others see the online sportsbook in question? Ask other players what their experiences have been like. If they received a sportsbook promo code, was the incentive everything promised? Did they have any issues with credits or getting paid in a timely fashion? All these questions are worth checking out before you decide to lay your own funds on the line.

What kind of online sportsbook bonus do they offer? Some sites entice you with a percentage (up to a certain limit) of “free money,” so to speak. Your sportsbook promo code could get you a piece of the action that you put in, or it could earn you a respectable flat fee that adds to your reasons for betting. Any time that a sportsbook is willing to give you a little more for your show of faith, and they are willing to deliver on the promise of allowing you to play on some of their dime, then you have found a place you can call home for all your online sports betting needs.

What options does the sportsbook offer? Most of the best online sportsbooks will allow you different odds on a multitude of sporting events. You won’t be limited to just football or baseball, but instead you can run the whole gamut including soccer, hockey, basketball, boxing, mixed martial arts, and beyond. If you’re a sports nut, you can’t afford to refrain from giving yourself options.

The online sportsbook bonus is a nice incentive for you to get involved with the sports betting world. Redeeming your sportsbook promo code should be a smooth and easy thing to do. But before you take that step, make sure the place you are allowing to look after your money has your repeat business at heart. When there is a chance you will return time and time again, you’ve found a relationship that both sides can benefit from.

Betting on soccer games can be fun and exciting, but if you want to increase your chances of winning you should do your betting with a good online soccer sportsbook. The convenience is an important consideration because you can place your bets from the comfort of your own home or any other location you choose. Your account is completely secure and your privacy is guarded. The soccer sportsbook will provide you with a variety of options to make your deposits, including major credit cards.

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If you like to bet on sporting events the best location to place your bets is with a good online sports betting sportsbook. There are many advantages that you can get from a top rated sports betting sportsbook that are not available anywhere else. For one thing you’ll be able to place your bets whenever you want from the comfort of your own home or any other location where you have an Internet connection. You’ll have an account that is fully secure and you can easily make deposits to your account through a wide variety of methods.

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If you have thought to try your hand at gambling online, here is some guidance:

First, understand that if you are a citizen of the United States, many banks and credit card companies will not let you directly fund a casino account. So you need to find a casino that has funding availability for you, the U.S. citizen.

Second, when you do find a casino, play with “play money” awhile so you can familiarize yourself with the software. Most casinos will have you actually download their gaming software to your computer. Thereafter, you need not surf to and log in to their site to play, just click an icon on your desktop.

Third, be aware that the online gaming business is very competitive – they all want YOU as a new customer! So they will offer incentives such as matching your initial deposit up to as high as $1,200 with free money from them.

Read the fine print before signing up: how do they pay out your winnings to you and how quickly? Check if they offer toll-free customer support – most do.

Baccarat, poker, blackjack, keno and other traditional casino games will all be available to you online. In addition, there are sportsbook sites which allow you to place wagers or bets on virtually every sporting event in the world, including NFL footbal, MLB baseball, NBA basketball, NHL hockey, horseracing, NASCAR and special events such as the Superbowl and Triple Crown. Some sites even take wagers on the outcome of presidential elections, major criminal trials and more!

Your best “bet” is to visit a gambling web portal site that will offer you education and guidance. These sites know where the best bonuses are for first-time players, can explain the intricacies of funding your accounts, and also offer sports odds lines and a wealth of other information to give you a fun and profitable online gaming experience!