DOJ Targets Trump: Odds Get Slashed at BetOnline

In what is one of the most seismic shifts we have witnessed on the political betting front since the 2020 Presidential election, BetOnline has reduced its odds of former U.S. President Donald Trump getting indicted from +350 down to +185 in recent days.

To be clear, BetOnline is arguably the biggest betting site on the Web offering political props, so this movement is presumably based on real life sentiment in the form of wagering action.  In other words, it's a clear sign that a segment of the public is beginning to believe the former President is in some serious trouble moving forward.

It's easy to understand why. 

Numerous media outlets confirmed that the Justice Department is investigating Trump’s actions as part of its criminal probe of efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, according to four people familiar with the matter.

From MSN.com:

Prosecutors who are questioning witnesses before a grand jury — including two top aides to Vice President Mike Pence — have asked in recent days about conversations with Trump, his lawyers, and others in his inner circle who sought to substitute Trump allies for certified electors from some states Joe Biden won, according to two people familiar with the matter. Both spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

Even prior to this news there were signs emerging that Trump's teflon was perhaps beginning to peel away a bit.  Last week's hearing into the January 6 insurrection of the nation's capitol drew in around 17 million viewers.  Those are blockbuster numbers for a late July television airing.  Additionally, media outlets long favorable towards Trump began to turn on him.

Perhaps the biggest sign of all that the former President is in trouble came within 24 hours after Thursday's hearings aired when BetOnline revealed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, was now the co-favorite to win the Presidential election in 2024.  Trump has been the default favorite in recent months as current U.S. President, Joe Biden, approval ratings fell.

There are also indications that a separate probe by the Fulton Country District Attorney Fani Willis in Georgia could be accelerating at a rapid pace.  

That probe is based on a recorded phone call that Trump placed to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Jan. 2, 2021 where he urged the secretary of state to “find” the 11,780 votes necessary to provide him with a win in that state.  Raffensperger refused and subsequent audits showed the initial count to be accurate outside of a few minor discrepancies.

It should be noted that the special grand jury examining this matter can only consult with experts in order to compel the production of documents, emails and other relevant information, however, it cannot issue an indictment against the former President.  Instead, they simply make recommendations that could lead to charges in the future.

- Alejandro Botticelli, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter