BetUS.com, Sportingbet Benefit From Early British Open Betting
Remarkably quite a few of the online gambling websites have either not offered British Open betting or done so sporadically leading into the weekend prior to Thursday's start. Much of this has to do with a "wait and see" attitude while other golf events take place.
BetUS.com has been fairly consistent in keeping British Open betting odds up.
"It's one of the most bet on events, at least in the United Kingdom," commented Payton O'Brien, Senior Editor of Gambling911.com.
While BetUS.com focuses its attention on the US market, Sportingbet.com has also been consistent in offering the odds on this event for its UK clients and those throughout Europe and the rest of the world for that matter.
"There is quite the variation in odds from one book to another," Gambling911.com sports writer, Don Shapiro, points out. "If you live outside the U.S., you might want to consider betting at both BetUS.com and Sportingbet.com in order to get the best prices on your favorite golfers."
Let's look at the top 10 favorites at both establishments:
Tiger Woods was once again the favorite to win the 2009 British Open everywhere. US gamblers get some freebies when they join BetUS.com, which makes up for the slightly reduced payout odds compared with those offered by Sportingbet. BetUS.com pays US$175 for every US$100 bet on Woods. Sportingbet pays out US$200.
Sportingbet has Sergio Garcia with the second shortest odds, paying US$1800 for every US$100 bet. BetUS.com has him with the third shortest odds but paying US$1200. They list Padraig Harrington as the second favorite, paying US$1200 for every US$100 bet. Sportingbet.com has the bargain on Harrington even though they're bound to get more bets on Ireland's native son from UK loyalists. He's still paying an amazing US$3300 for every US$100 bet at Sportingbet.
BetUS.com offers a bargain on Ian Poulter payout odds, which were 35/1 (+3500) for a payout potential of US$3500 on every US$100 bet. That's US$1000 more than what Sportingbet has to offer for a price.
Rory McIlroy was getting no love at BetUS.com, where they had him listed among the 6/1 "field" option. Sportingbet, meanwhile, had him among the favorites, paying 25/1 odds. While 6/1 looks less enticing, any number of unlisted golfers can win, giving this payout opportunity a much stronger likelihood of happening.
It should be noted that Ernie Els and Lee Westwood have much shorter odds to win the 2009 British Open at BetUS.com, as do Justin Rose and Adam Scott. Each of these gentleman were listed among the top 10 favorites to win.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
