William Hill Takes £400,000 Bet on Whether Scotland Leaves the UK

The United Kingdom’s largest bookmaker, William Hill, has offered odds on whether Scotland will leave the UK.  The odds are a bit steep at 1-4 for Scotland to vote against independence.

One man, said to be English, has wagered £400,000 on the “No” with the payoff being £100,000.  It is the largest political bet in William Hill’s long history.

Following the bet, William Hill shortened its odds further to 1/5 on a “No” vote, while rival Ladbrokes cut their odds to 2/9, the Financial Times reported.

William Hill expects to take about £1m in bets on the outcome of the Scottish independence referendum. “That has exceeded our expectations,” said Graham Sharpe of William Hill.

Scots will have the chance to vote on the referendum 18 September 2014.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com