American politicians like to bet on sports
Although you are unlikely to see a politician screaming at a Vegas bookmaker's screen, government officials are not immune to the thrill of a good sports bet. There is undoubtedly a long tradition of senators, members of Congress, mayors and governors making friendly sports bets on big games.
However, instead of betting on cash, they often bet on local delicacies and drinks from their states. We take a look at some of the most famous friendly sports betting between politicians, the games they bet on and what joys have been lost and won.
Stanley Cup 2018: Capitals vs Knights
At the start of the 2018 NHL season, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton placed a bet with US Representative Dina Titus on who would lift the Stanley Cup. Ahead of the big game, which featured the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights, the two politicians agreed to their betting terms.
To win the Caps, Titus and her staff had to wear DC jerseys and deliver a gift basket of treats from Las Vegas. If the Golden Knights win, Norton and her staff would provide a basket of DC goodies.
The Washington Capitals beat the Las Vegas Golden Knights 3: 2 and made history: it was the first Stanley Cup championship in their first year!
The Caps win was also a significant victory for Norton. As promised, Titus came to visit the D.C. delegate's office, dressed in his D.C. State shirt . The basket was filled with treats from local Las Vegas businesses such as Ethel M. Chocolate Factory, CraftHaus Brewery, and playing cards and souvenirs from famous Vegas casinos.
Super Bowl LII: Patriots vs Eagles
For Super Bowl 52, Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey (two senators from Massachusetts) bet on local beer with Pennsylvania senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.
Supporting the New England Patriots, Warren and Markey bet on an assortment of their favourite beers at one of the betting sites in Kenya with free bets brewed in Massachusetts. Casey and Toomey, meanwhile, bet on Philadelphia's famous cheesesteaks in their hometown and local beers from Yards Brewing Company.
The Eagles, who were definitely the underdogs, defeated the Patriots and picked up their first Super Bowl victory. The Senators from Massachusetts were content to do their own thing, supplying local beer. We think that's fair considering how the Pats have won it five times in the last two decades!
2018 NFL Playoffs: Vikings vs Saints
While we personally prefer to bet cash to win cash, betting on cakes and ice cream takes second place! That's what was at stake between Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and Louisiana Senator John Neely Kennedy.
Their "sweet" bet was on an NFL playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints. Klobuchar bet on Purple-Power ice cream, a limited-edition ice cream designed specifically for this bet, while Kennedy promised Louisiana King cake.
The dramatic play-off reached its climax when Stefon Diggs made a 61-yard touchdown, winning the game for the Vikings (and Klobuchar). The Senator from Minnesota, being a good athlete, delivered ice cream as a consolation prize . At least the ice cream didn't go to waste!
NBA Finals 2015: Golden State Warriors vs. Cavaliers
As for the 2015 NBA Finals, it came down to a bet between the two sides . Republican Senator Rob Portman (Ohio) and Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein (California).
The lineup included some California wine and a six-pack of Sharpshooter wheat IPA from Cleveland's Great Lakes Brewing Company.
Portman's colleague, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, also made a bet with California delegate Senator Barbara Boxer. Boxer bet on Pete's Warriors Grounds coffee and Brown bet on the New Oakland Glow Pilsner from Hoppin 'Frog Brewery.
Senator Boxer quite expected to open up some cold questions, and she was right to be so confident: the Warriors won the game, winning the team's first championship title in 40 years.
Super Bowl XLVIII: Seattle Seahawks vs Denver Broncos
Back in 2014, the stakes were a bit more interesting, including smoked salmon and bison! Senators from Washington, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell made that bet in a big way with their colleagues from Colorado, Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennett.
If Seahawk loses, Murray and Cantwell will have to deliver smoked salmon from the Nisqually Indian Tribe, Brush Prairie honey and cupcakes from Seattle's own Cupcake Royale.
If the Seahawks won, Bennett and Udall would present their Washington counterparts with Colorado-grown bison from Tony's Market, peaches grown in the Palisades and a gift certificate to an exclusive restaurant.
As it turned out, there was bison on the menu! The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos in a brutal 43-8 defeat. Udall and Bennett paid in goodwill, while Senators Murray and Cantwell donated restaurant certificates to charity.
Other high-profile high-profile bets
Politicians can make a 'safe' bet by betting on cupcakes and beer, but not everyone in the public eye is so cautious when it comes to betting on sports. A look also at how the growth of the regulated market is boosting revenues and profits in the first half of the year by 888.
