Wagers on Pope's Selection Now Accepted
In the countdown to one of the world's most clandestine elections, you might find folks in St. Peter's Square (Vatican, Rome) sporting purple attire, mimicking cardinals tasked with selecting the next pope. An eccentric Italian duo is testing their luck on a unique online platform betting on Pope Francis' successor—a sort of preview of the conclave. Meanwhile, UK bookmakers are jumping on the bandwagon, sensing the growing interest as the conclave draws near. A seasoned British bettor predicts that the stakes currently represent just a tenth of what will be wagered by the event's conclusion.
"A peek behind the curtain"
This betting game draws upon codes from a popular online football game. A player sums it up, commenting, "It's like a peek behind the curtain." But in the country hosting the Vatican, betting on the pope's successor is strictly forbidden. Consequently, UK bookmakers are taking advantage of the situation. The bettor estimates, "People's curiosity heightens as the conclave approaches, and the amounts being risked now correspond to just a tenth of what will be bet by the end."
For a deeper dive into the tale, watch the video above.
The darker side of the bet
While the novelty of betting on the next pope draws crowds, it's essential to consider the legal implications. In Italy, gambling restrictions are strict, with a focus on maintaining legal online gambling through licensed operators. The 2018 Dignity Decree outlawed gambling advertisements, consequently escalating activity on unlicensed platforms[4][5]. Unfortunately, there are ongoing investigations into high-profile figures for involvement in illegal betting, though these do not pertain to betting on football matches or the pope[1][2][3].
UK bookmakers in the picture
UK bookmakers, typically, abide by legal frameworks when offering betting services on various events. However, some might dabble in specialty betting markets, such as wagering on the next pope, to add a touch of excitement to their offerings. Any involvement of UK operators in such bets remains within legal boundaries and is unrelated to Italy's illegal betting scenario.
- The betting game on the pope's successor is reminiscent of a popular online football game, providing a "peek behind the curtain."
- In Italy, where the Vatican is located, betting on the pope's successor is prohibited, pushing individuals towards unlicensed online platforms.
- UK bookmakers are capitalizing on this situation, offering betting services on the pope's successor, adhering to the legal frameworks while adding excitement to their offerings.
- The 2018 Dignity Decree in Italy has led to a crackdown on gambling advertisements, driving activity towards unlicensed platforms, and there are ongoing investigations into high-profile figures for involvement in illegal betting.
- The amounts being wagered on the pope's successor now are just a tenth of what will be bet by the event's conclusion, as predicted by a seasoned British bettor.
