Presidential election 2008 betting

The most popular markets in US political betting are those covering the presidential election, being held on November 4.

Despite senator John McCain having won his party’s nomination three months before Democrat senator Barack Obama, McCain has consistently trailed in the opinion polls and in presidential election betting markets. Visit the Ladbrokes.com - US Election Zone for a current forecast on the race for the white house - state by state.

Polls the best guide to presidential election betting

Opinion polls are always good indicators for those studying “form” for presidential election 2008 betting. And US political betting punters should expect those figures to change ahead of the election, depending on which candidate performs better in interviews and in reacting to news events.

The global credit crunch and in particular the debts of ailing banks have been at the centre of this election campaign, and is reflected in US election betting. Such issues, together with America’s continued presence in Iraq, are sure to be points raised in the remainder of the presidential debates.

The presidential debates are the most watched event in the election campaign and have a significant effect on the odds in the presidential election betting.

War stance could influence US political betting

Senator McCain could be the focus of anti-war sentiment among voters, but anyone considering the presidential election 2008 betting should note that campaigning too heavily on the war may not help Obama. The 2004 election saw John Kerry make few inroads into President Bush’s lead using similar tactics.

Ladbrokes has a range of US election betting markets available, including the number of electoral college votes the winner will get, and the election turnout.

There is always keen interest in US election betting on the swing states, which may go either way on November 4.

Just as Florida proved a key player in 2000, leading Bush to the White House, it is one of the states that will attract most presidential election 2008 betting interest.