Paddy Power lost $5 million on Trump bets last year, so it is serious about finding a “Head of Trump Betting”.
Paddy Power is looking to hire a “Trump expert” as a bookmaker for proposition bets on the current president of the United States. Donald Trump wagers are so popular with gamblers that the Irish gambling operator believes a full-time expert is needed.
The sheer number of Trump-themed prop bets at Paddy Power is remarkable. Irish and British sportsbooks and sports betting exchanges combined to have a turnover of $286 million (£230 million) in wagers on the US presidential election in 2016. That figure easily surpassed all records.
Typical Trump Prop Bets
The bets range from the serious to the near-comical. Players can make a bet on whether Obamacare survive Donald Trump‘s first term in office, which seems like a reasonable question. Gamblers also have the option to make a 500:1 bet on whether Donald Trump paints the White House gold.
Other wagers include questions on whether an American state secedes from the Union. The US Civil War (1861-1865) seemed to have settled that issue for all-time, as 600,000 Americans died to determine whether 11 different rebellious states had the ability to secede.
Will a US State Secede?
Yet in recent years, then-Texas Governor Rick Perry (now US Energy Secretary) threatened to secede from the United States over Obamacare. Since the Trump election, people in the most populous state in the US, California, have discussed the possibility of secession. In fact, Californians have discussed the question at last since 2011, because the wealthiest US state and Democrat bastion grows tired of winning the popular vote, yet losing electoral vote counts to less-affluent red (GOP) states in the Deep South which vote Republican and complain about welfare, yet need federal subsidies to maintain their level of prosperity.
Most people believe secession is not a serious issue, which is why someone can get a $500 to $1 payout if California or another state secedes. But the question is: if a US state seceded now, would it lead to a violent civil war? Could it happen? These are the questions Paddy Power’s political bookmaker would need to determine. Having a bookmaker for sporting events determine odds on such an issue would appear to be a risky proposition itself.
$5 Million in Losses over US Election
The stakes are high for a sportsbook like Paddy Power. For instance, the operator had to pay off 15,000 bets on whether Donald Trump would win the U.S. election. Trump was a popular choice with gamblers, especially since he was an underdog. When the seemingly impossible happened, Paddy Power took a loss of over $5 million on the bet.
Lee Price, a spokesman for Paddy Power, said that wagering on the Trump Administration is setting records. At this point during the Trump era, wagers are 50 times what they were at this point in the Obama Administration.
“Head of Trump Betting” on Paddy Power’s Site
Paddy Power listed a job opening on its career section last week called “Head of Trump Betting“. It plans to interview candidates starting at the end of next week. Whoever gets the job will be tasked with brainstorming new Donald Trump proposition bets. The job lasts for 3 months, but could last for years.
Lee Price said Paddy Power is accepting applications for the job, though the perfect resume is left to the imagination. Mr. Price said, “The job is to be an expert in all things Trump. In the spirit of Donald Trump’s presidency, we’re saying no experience required.”
Many “Jokey” Applications for the Job
The company said it has received many applications, but most of them have been “jokey” so far. Paddy Power is serious about the position, so applicants should look at the Paddy Power website and submit real resumes. Again, prior work as a bookmaker is not required.
The question of what it means to be “an expert in all things Trump” is an open question. Reading his autobiography and other books might help. Reading the unauthorized biographies might be more help. Having a firm grasp of the Trump family and all the many cabinet secretaries, White House aides, and key congressional leaders is essential.
Beyond that, watching the nightly cable news shows’ coverage probably would not hurt. Donald Trump has turned American politics into a bit of a reality show. The better versed a person is in all the working parts of that reality show is helpful. A knowledge of world politics and American domestic issues also might not hurt.
