Dynamic U.S. presidential election fuelling novelty bets in B.C.

VANCOUVER -- Most Canadians can't vote in the U.S. presidential election, but it hasn't stopped many from using their cash to voice an opinion on who they think will win.

The B.C. Lottery Corp. is taking online novelty bets on the American election, and spokesman Doug Cheng says there has been rapid growth in wagers since presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump's campaign began to gain momentum.

Cheng says U.S. election bets have become the highest earner on the website's novelty betting category, surpassing the Oscars.

Cheng says the site has currently has the odds of Democrat Hillary Clinton winning the White House at about 2-5 and Trump's odds at slightly less than 2-1.

He says in B.C., 38 per cent of people placing bets have their money on Clinton becoming president, compared with 25 per cent for Trump.

But the BCLC site can also be used in Manitoba, and Cheng says the majority of people there have their money on the Republican candidate winning in November.

The corporation's odds makers are constantly tracking the presidential race, adjusting the odds with every policy announcement and gaffe.

There have been stark changes in Trump's odds, Cheng says.

In January 2015, they were set at 100-1, and a $10 bet that the businessman would become president would earn $1,010. Today, the return on that bet would be $28.50.

"I think that shows how he shaved his odds and how he went from being the underdog to being a viable option, economics wise."

Cheng says the largest bet made for Trump so far has been about $1,700 and there have been three wagers over $1,000, while there have been two bets of more than $2,000 for Clinton.

This isn't the first time BCLC has taken bets on U.S. politics. It started in 2014, and Cheng says they were the first jurisdiction in Canada to do so.

"This is a fun way for British Columbians to take part in the election, even though most of us can't vote in the U.S."

Canadians usually follow American presidential elections quite closely because the results can have an impact north of the border, Cheng added, but this race is a bit different.

"I think this election in particular is garnering even more attention because I think you have a person like Donald Trump who is such a dynamic and yet controversial candidate just dominating the headlines and I think you see that transferring over to our wagering."

Similar bets aren't available for Canadian politics.