Guide to Betting On 2012 Elections

With the rollercoaster ride of the 2008 US presidential election now over, attention in the world of political betting can turn to 2012.

Bookmakers are predicting a successful first term for president-elect Barack Obama, indicated by the 4/5 odds being offered by UK bookmaker Ladbrokes for him to repeat what the two presidents before him - George W. Bush and Bill Clinton - have done, and successfully run for re-election.

Defeated Republican vice-presidential candidate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, is considered the early challenger at 16/1, while Obama's VP, Joe Biden, is 20/1. Hillary Clinton is 25/1, while defeated John McCain, on account of his age (he is already 72) is a long-shot at 50/1.

There are 6/1 odds on a female being chosen for the first time in 2012, although Clinton and Palin are the only two females on the list of 20 possibilities in the betting.

In the two-party race the Democrats are 8/11, against the Republicans at 11/10. The chance of an independent winning is currently 20/1.

Betting is also available on nominees from both parties, with naturally a far longer list on the  side of the challenging Republicans, and Biden and Clinton being offered odds of 8/1 and 12/1 respectively to win the Democratic nomination if for some reason Obama does not run for re-election.