Betting on the Financial Crisis

Cynics say playing the stock market is no different than betting on sports with bookmakers. With that in mind, bookies are taking advantage of the interest in the financial crisis to offer live betting on the markets.

At Ladbrokes, betting can be made on the level of Britain's FTSE 100 index, as it happens. Displaying the live level next to the high line and low line odds, bets can be made for a five-minute period or for hourly or daily rates.

The Germany 30 index is also available for live betting.

But one has to be quick, as the odds change by the second before your eyes. It's just like the real thing in terms of pressure.

Currencies too
If the indices aren't your game but the currencies are, a whole range of moving odds are available on currency rates, again over a five-minute, hourly or daily period of time.

The US dollar, British pound, the euro, Swiss franc, Japanese yen and rapidly-sliding Australian dollar are all up for speculation.