These days, having a bet is no longer reduced to simply picking a horse to win or a player to score in a particular football match. One reason for this is the growth of novelty betting opportunities, which have provided something to suit everyone.
Novelty betting is a growing phenomenon among punters who enjoy predicting the winner of a popular TV show with a Big Brother bet or X Factor betting.
There are a number of betting specials associated with each show with Big Brother evictions providing one of the most popular novelty bets on offer, alongside which judge will mentor the winning X Factor contestant.
Novelty betting specials are typically a festive treat
Seasonal novelty betting includes favourites like the Christmas number one, which has been largely dominated by X Factor winners in recent years. Meanwhile, other music-related markets include a Mercury Music Prize winner.
Alternatively, punters may want to bet on whether there will be a white Christmas or not or in which part of the UK the most snow will fall.
Political novelty bets make up other markets
Non-Christmas related novelty betting opportunities often relate to political situations, whether it be the next prime minister, the next US president or which member of the cabinet will be the next to quit their post.
Novelty bets involving celebrities are also popular and can relate to a number of areas. These include the name a celebrity will give to their new baby, who will be the next boyfriend/girlfriend of a particular celebrity or whether they will appear or not in an upcoming television programme.