With a few days left until the grand 2009 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Gambling911.com can report a number of accounts being open and bets being placed.
"The traffic has started to come in and by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of July - the day of the competition - we should have significant interest in the Hot Dog Eating Contest," says Payton O'Brien, Senior Editor of Gambling911.com.
The annual 4th of July event has become a battle between two men - Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi. Chestnut had stolen the title away from the once dominant Kobayashi three years ago three years ago. Before that, Kobayashi had won 6 times straight.
Chestnut is only a slight -150 favorite at SBG Global while Kobayashi came in with +120 odds that would pay $12 for every $10 bet.
"We're probably going to see a lot more $10 bets as opposed to the $50 and $100 bets we have seen on this event in the past due to the global recession," remarked O'Brien. "Still, we anticipate some good volume. People want to bet on this contest even if it's for a small amount."
The biggest payout would be on the winner eating more than 64 ½ hot dogs. That one would pay out almost $20 for every $10 bet. That has only happened one time before with Chestnut gulping down 66 two years ago.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911
