Politics
Ron Paul Wins Majority of Delegates in Nevada, Maine
US GOP Presidential candidate and supporter of legalized online gambling, Ron Paul, has won the most delegates in both Nevada and Main, it was revealed on Sunday.
The results gave the Texas congressman last state victories even with Mitt Romney’s nomination all but sealed.
"It's certainly a significant victory," said Jim Azzola of South Portland, Cumberland County coordinator for Paul.
Paul, the last challenger to remain in the contest, finished a close second behind Romney in Maine's GOP caucuses in February, but those results were nonbinding.
Veepstakes Odds for the GOP Just Posted: Marco Rubio Favored
Carrie Stroup here with important news that Sportsbook.com just opened up Republican Veepstakes odds..
Marco Rubio was coming in as the 3/1 favorite.
Other notables included Rob Portman with the next shortest odds at 5/1. Chris Christie 8/1 and Rick Santorum 10/1 were right up there as well.
For the best payouts, here were a few longshots for the GOP Veepstakes: Condoleeza Rice 25/1, Newt 50/1 Palin 100/1.
Mitt Romney Wins GOP Nomination in Eyes of Oddsmakers Who Already Paid Out Bets
The oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com on Monday announced that they have paid out on all bets that former Massachusetts Republican Governor Mitt Romney will win the GOP Presidential nomination.
The payouts fluctuated based on when the bets were placed. At some points early on in the campaign, front runners changed regularly, however, Romney always maintained relatively short odds.
Nadex Denied Ability to Offer Futures Betting on President Obama
While you can still bet on the US Presidential race and Barack Obama’s odds to be re-elected at online gambling sites the likes of Sportsbook.com, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shot down a proposal by the North American Derivatives Exchange (NADEX) to offer options contracts on the US Presidential election, claiming such “gaming” was not in the public interest.
Sheldon Adelson Done With Newt Gingrich: ‘He’s at the End of His Line’ (Video)
In an interview featured on the Jewish Journal Thursday, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson essentially said that Newt Gingrich’s campaign to become the GOP US Presidential nominee is over.
Oh The Irony: Rick Santorum Banner Ads Appearing on Poker Site
GOP Presidential candidate Rick Santorum is opposed to pornography, contraception, heavy metal music and most forms of gambling, especially the Web kind, yet shockingly his banners began appearing on the popular TwoPlusTwo.com poker forum in recent weeks, right along side a thread questioning why members of that forum should be asked to support someone who supports Internet poker prohibition (which is precisely what the tower banner we saw was asking the forum community to do)
John McCain on Sheldon Adelson’s Donation to Gingrich Campaign: ‘Drives Up Unfavorables’
There has been plenty of hoopla surrounding casino magnate billionaire Sheldon Adelson’s multiple donations to a Newt Gingrich super PAC. Now fellow Republican, Senator John McCain, has suggested such cash infusions by Adelson have only served to harm the Gingrich Presidential campaign, which is now all but dead.
Super Tuesday Betting Odds Have Romney Winning At Least 6 States
While Americans cannot bet at Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, the UK’s third largest bookmaker continues to be the only wagering establishment offering betting on all the US GOP primaries and caucuses, including odds on Super Tuesday.
PayPal Founder Donates $1.7 Million to Ron Paul Campaign
The co-founder of the popular online payment platform PayPal, Peter Thiel, donated $1.7 million last month to a super PAC supporting GOP Presidential hopeful Ron Paul.
In total, Thiel has donated $2.6 million to the Endorse Liberty super PAC created last year to aid the Paul campaign.
All four Republican candidates are in the process of filing fundraising reports for the month of January along with their super PACs. These must be submitted to the Federal Election Commission today.
The Texas Congressman has long been an advocate for one’s right to gamble online.
Sheldon Adelson Pumping Another $10 Million Into Newt Gingrich Campaign
CBS News has learned that billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is pumping yet another $10 million into GOP Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich’s faltering campaign.
Maine May Not Have Been a Win for Romney
It is beginning to look like yet another state got it wrong in the Republican primaries/caucuses.
First it was Iowa where one time Senator Rick Santorum was the eventual winner after several days of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney being touted as the victor. Now we have Maine where it appears Texas Congressman Ron Paul may have beat out Romney.
Online Gambling Foe Spencer Bachus Subject of Insider-Trading Probe
One of the online gambling industry’s most outspoken opponents, Republican Spencer Bachus of Alabama, is being investigated as part of an insider-trading probe.
From Market Watch:
Rick Santorum Against Online Gambling: ‘Dangerous for Our Country’ (Video)
Last week when it was learned the US Republican Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum came out against legalized online gambling, this appeared to be a nonissue. After all, candidate Mitt Romney already had the nomination “in the bag” with Newt Gingrich “that other guy” who “might be standing in the way with his Southern states stronghold”.
Odds to Win Minnesota Caucus, Colorado Caucus
The latest odds to win Tuesday’s Minnesota Caucus as well as the Colorado Caucus had Mitt Romney with a 57 percent chance followed by Rick Santorum at 39 percent in Minnesota and Romney at close to 100 percent winning in Colorado.
If there is any type of competition for this Republican race for the US Presidency, it will occur in Minnesota where Santorum is actually leading in one poll.
Gingrich was coming in under 3 percent to win Minnesota.
PaddyPower Regrets Paying Out on Early Romney Bets
Following Newt Gingrich’s big South Carolina primary win this past Saturday, the Mitt Romney camp was not the only bunch banging their respective heads against the wall.
The bookmakers at PaddyPower.com shed some tears as well.
That’s because PaddyPower.com, an Irish bookmaker that accepts wagers from all over the world except for the United States, paid out Mitt Romney wagers after his big New Hampshire primary win.
Another $5 Million Check From Sheldon Adelson to Pro-Newt Gingrich Pact
Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson was reportedly sending yet another $5 million check to a pro-Newt Gingrich pact following the former House Speaker’s big South Carolina primary win.
From the New York Times:
The Ron Paul Online Gambling ‘Gaffe’ Good for Industry (Video)
During a post-South Carolina primary speech, Texas Congressman and US GOP Presidential candidate made mention of how US citizens had stood together, forcing politicians to essentially back off unfavorable policy as it relates to online gambling. The speech was widely broadcast on all three major cable networks (scroll down to watch the video of his speech below).
Ron Paul South Carolina Speech Mentions Online Gambling
While it appeared likely GOP Presidential hopeful Ron Paul was getting online gambling legislation confused with the Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA), it was interesting to see the Texas Congressman mention online gambling and how the US people essentially got the issue off the docket.
Paul was a co-sponsor of a bill to legalize Internet gambling in the US along with Democrat Barney Frank.
Huffington Post: Where the GOP Candidates Stand On Gambling
The Huffington Post’s Ron Dicker published a piece this weekend on the four remaining US GOP candidates and their stance as it relates to gambling.
Gambling911.com founder Chris Costigan was quoted in the piece as it relates to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
"I can't see Romney supporting gambling. I just can't see it," said Costigan.
Newt Gingrich Ex ‘Open Marriage’ Claims, Rick Perry Out and the Latest South Carolina Primary Odds
Appearing on ABC’s ‘Nightline’, GOP US Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich’s ex wife claimed the candidate desired an “open marriage”. The network released excerpts from the previously recorded show scheduled for airing Thursday night at 11:30 pm EST.
Marianne Gingrich said her ex conducted his affair with current wife Callista "in my bedroom in our apartment in Washington."
"He always called me at night and always ended with `I love you,' " she said. "Well, she was listening."
Ron Paul Gambles on Nevada: Will Skip Florida
GOP candidate Texas Congressman Ron Paul will bypass Florida and focus in on the next state to hold a caucus, Nevada. Last time Paul ran for President of the US in 2008, he finished a distant second in the state of Nevada. It was one of his best showings during the 2008 campaign. The Congressman has so far come in a very close third in Iowa and second in New Hampshire.
From Time.com:
Ron Paul Pays 1 to 3 Odds With 2nd Place Win in New Hampshire
Ron Paul has been declared as the 2nd place finisher in the state of New Hampshire for their Republican Primary Tuesday night. Paddy Power had been offering the Texas Congressman with 1 to 3 odds of winning without Mitt Romney, who easily won the state he calls his second home.
At press time, Paul appeared to be grabbing over 20 percent of the state vote after finishing a very close third in Iowa (only four percentage points behind the co-winners, Romney and Rick Santorum). Santorum was not a major factor in the New Hampshire race.
Casino Billionaire Sheldon Adelson Behind Super PAC Ad Blasting Mitt Romney
The casino billionaire magnate Sheldon Adelson is reportedly spending $5 million to a Super PAC group supporting Newt Gingrich. Adelson is said to be a huge supporter of the former House Speaker.
Odds to Wn the New Hampshire Primary Have Ron Paul Winning (Without Romney)
So certain are the oddsmakers at Paddy Power that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will win Tuesday’s Republican Primary in New Hampshire, they are offering odds without him and have Texas Congressman Ron Paul as the 1/3 favorite.
Paul finished a strong third in Iowa last week, just a few points behind the co-winners, Romney and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.
For most pundits, New Hampshire is about who will finish second and Santorum appears to be losing some steam while Paul gains.
No Political Betting For Nadex… For Now
If last night was any indication, the political betting arena should be an exciting one. Too bad the North American Derivatives Exchange (Nadex) won’t be able to take part, at least for the time being.
Three-Man Race in Iowa Caucus Overnight
It was Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul winning in the Iowa caucus overnight. All three were essentially favorites to win coming into Tuesday.
As of 10:30 pm EST, Santorum was winning by a very slight margin. Mitt Romney came in second. Ron Paul came in two percentage points behind but was still very much in the race. By 11 pm EST, Paul was determined to have finished in third place.
On Tuesday, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum were engaging in a nasty little tift.
Iowa Caucus Odds of Winning Have Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney in Dead Heat
Rick Santorum has become the “new flavor of the week” at just the right time with the Iowa Republican Caucus taking place Tuesday evening. The former Pennsylvania Senator is in a dead heat among the oddsmakers with Ron Paul and Mitt Romney to win it. This promises to be one of the most exciting Caucuses to watch the results flow in. Paddy Power, which does not accept bets from US citizens, had Santorum and Paul at 15/8 odds while Romney was listed at 5/4.
Kelly Clarkson Twitter Endorsement of Ron Paul
GOP candidate Ron Paul got an unusual endorsement from none other than American Idol Season One winner Kelly Clarkson.
She tweeted on Thursday:
"I love Ron Paul. I liked him a lot during the last Republican nomination and no one gave him a chance. If he wins the nomination for the Republican party in 2012 he's got my vote. Too bad he probably won't."
Clarkson fans don’t appear to be Ron Paul fans. She came under their wrath for her endorsement.
Michele Bachmann Calls Former Iowa Campaign Chairman “Sell Out” to Ron Paul
GOP Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann called her former Iowa campaign chairman, Kent Sorenson, a “sell out” after he jumped ship Wednesday and headed over to the Ron Paul campaign. She accused Sorenson of essentially being paid off by the Paul camp. Texas Congressman, Ron Paul, is leading in some Iowa caucus polls while Bachmann trails far behind.
Commission Must Act on NADEX Political Betting Request by January 4
The North American Derivatives Exchange (NADEX) has filed with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to permit offering of betting on the upcoming political elections. The deadline for a decision is January 4 and should the Commission fail to act, NADEX could begin offering such bets (or trades) within the next couple of weeks.
Three of those on the Commission must vote against the proposal for it to be discarded. So far, only one Commissioner has come forward to oppose the NADEX request.
