The online sportsbooks are prepared to celebrate the 4th of July Weekend (The US Independence Day). But unlike most people, these folks will be stuck in the office working at least part of the day.
While it's true that some online sportsbooks catering to the US market don't think much of July 4th as anything but fireworks, outdoor barbeques and plenty of cold beer, others will hone in on what Gambling911.com this year has deemed as a "significant betting event".
What might that be?
The annual Nathan's 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, why of course.
"The traffic related to this event was massive last year," explained Payton O'Brien, Senior Editor of the Gambling911.com website. "There is a definite interest in wagering on the Hot Dog Contest. It's become as much of a 4th of July tradition as fireworks."
Among those online sportsbooks offering bets on the 2009 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest: Sportsbook.com, which by the way is now adding a 20 percent cash bonus on all new deposits for those opening an online betting account today.
There are only really two stars of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest: Joey Chestnut, who would pay out $10 for every $15 bet (the initial bet $15 bet is returned should he win) and the slight underdog, Takeru Kobayashi, would would pay $12 for every $10 bet.
"Even better is that the remaining contestants fall under the ‘field' option and would pay $100 for every $100 bet," O'Brien said.
The 93rd annual contest was held on July 4, 2008. Six-time champion Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi and defending champion Joey Chestnut, were tied with 59 hot dogs eaten after the new ten-minute time limit, but Chestnut prevailed by winning a five-dog "eat off" held immediately after the contest. Both the contest and the eat-off were televised live on ESPN, which has held the broadcast rights for this event since 2004. It attracts well over a million viewers each year.
Joey Chestnut has won the last two years. Kobayashi had won the seven previous years.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
