World’s Oddest Novelty Wagers

If you think about it, you’ll realise that it is possible to bet on just about anything, if you are thus inclined. As it turns out, there are plenty of people juvenile (or, at least, reckless) enough to take bet on just about anything from who will be the next American president to how the next season of Game of Thrones will end.

In casinos, such wagers are called “novelty bets” and you’d be surprised how many casinos offer them and how popular they are with players. Meanwhile, players often place bets outside of the casino amongst themselves in which no money ever changes hands – it is honour that is at stake... or is that dignity?

Your Money or Your Wives

In November 2013, Ugandan football fan, Henry Dhabasani fell into a swoon when the final whistle was blown at Old Trafford as Manchester United defeated Arsenal. Dhabasani’s sudden light-headedness was the result of the fact that he had bet his house, his car, *and his three wives *that Arsenal would win the game.

Dhabasani was evicted from his home the following day by Man-U fan and victor, Rashid Yiga. One can only guess what his wives thought about the whole affair.

Money on the Moon

Sometimes, even legitimate sports books are willing to offer odds on unusual items – as was the case in 1964, when American David Threlfall made a rather historic wager. His bet was that, before January 2017, a man would walk on any other planet or heavenly body. As we now know, US astronaut Neil Armstrong sealed that deal for Threlfall in July 1969, when he became the first man ever to walk on the moon. The sports book that took that bet must have been rather unimpressed with modern technology because they had to pay out over £50 000 to Threlfall and others who had also called the event.

Skin Deep

Some sports fans are so sure of their teams (and themselves) that they are willing to lay their skin on the line to prove it. In 2012, English rugby supporter, John Adams was forced to tattoo “Wales Grand Slam Champions 2012” on his back when he lost his bet that England would win the final.

Meanwhile, British tennis fan, Will Hirons might not have made a formal bet, but he did make a promise to get a tattoo of Scottish Tennis ace, Andy Murray if he won Wimbledon in 2013. Much to everyone’s surprise, Murray took the match and, soon after, was immortalized in ink on Hirons’s left... erm... cheek.