Novelty Betting Specials and Odds

If you're a dedicated sports betting punter maybe you've never thought about "frivolous" wagers such as novelty bets and TV specials, but we have news for you: novelty betting is a lot of fun. All the major online sportsbooks offer these markets, and they've come a long way since the days of yes/no bets for snow on Christmas Day.

What can't you bet on these days?

At three of the best internet sportsbooks around, William Hill, Paddy Power and Bet365, it's clear there's not much going on in the media or celebrity world you can't place wager on. You'll find specials for the popular reality shows, celebrity gossip, politics and current affairs. Here are a few examples...

Paddy Power

Paddy Power's novelty betting pages look more like those of a gossip magazine. What will Beyonce and Jay Z name their baby? ("Matthew" is favorite at 4/1; not surprisingly, "Lay-Z" is somewhat less popular at 200/1). Who will play Amy Winehouse in an upcoming movie about her life? (Odds on Lady Gaga are 6/1!)

William Hill

UK sportsbook William Hill has specials running on all the shows keeping Brits glued to the TV screens as the days get shorter and autumn evenings colder: Strictly Come Dancing, Big Brother, and X-Factor all make an appearance with a variety of possible bets for each - not just outright winner.

Bet365

Use your cultural and political smarts at Bet365 Sports with a wager on the winner of the Man Booker Prize, or who will be elected Mayor of London in 2012. As you'd expect from a respected sportsbook, specials on this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year are available too.

Indulge in some light-hearted fun!

Granted, some of the above wagers seem a bit daft, but aren't we all allowed a little light entertainment from time to time, in betting as in life?