Vice President Kamala Harris has become the betting favorite to win the 2024 US presidential election, overtaking former President Donald Trump for the first time since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her on July 21, according to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Citing data from electionbettingodds.com, which aggregates live odds from multiple betting platforms, Harris now has a 50.5% chance of winning the election, translating to odds of -102. Trump's chances have decreased to 47.1% , or +112, at the same site. The former president's odds had reached as high as 67.9% following a reported assassination attempt on July 13.
The London-based Betfair Exchange shows Harris as the even-money favorite, with Trump at +108 odds. Paul Krishnamurty, a political betting expert at Betfair Exchange, cautioned that while Harris has gained momentum since Biden's withdrawal, it may be premature to consider this a reliable indicator of the election outcome. "That's principally because, so far, media exposure and conversation has favored her because the Democratic nomination has been the big story," Krishnamurty stated. "It probably will remain so for the rest of August. Perhaps up to the first TV debate on Sept 10." The expert added that Harris's performance under the spotlight has significantly boosted her chances, noting that she was "clearly, widely underestimated" as a candidate.
Offshore sportsbook BetOnline, which is not regulated in the US, also lists Harris as the new favorite. Dave Mason, BetOnline's sportsbook brand manager, reported on social media platform X that Harris is now the -110 favorite, while Trump can be bet at even odds for up to $10,000. Mason disclosed that the book had taken a $10,076 bet on Harris at -105 odds and another $953 at -110, before accepting a $10,000 wager on Trump at even money.
It's important to note that betting on political outcomes is not permitted at US sportsbooks. The odds and betting information provided in this article are based on offshore and international betting markets, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
