Bookmakers Cash In On Volcanic Threats

As the Iceland volcanic eruption continues, many bookmakers see the opportunity to cash in on the attention the story is generating.

Many online betting sites are laying odds on almost anything volcanic.

Currently, wager can be placed on anything from the next volcano to erupt globally to when airspace will reopen in Northern Europe.

Paddypower.com lists Mount Unzen in Japan as the favorite to blow next, paying out 3/1 odds. Mt Nyiragongo in Congo and Mt Eyjafjallajokull are at 4/1 and 5/1 respectfully. The favored U.S. volcano to erupt next is Mauna Loa at 9/1 and Mt Rainier is coming in at 11/1.

The odds that British airspace will fully reopen without restrictions on Saturday the 17th are 2/5.

There are even odds out there floating around as to when Eyjafjallajokull will stop blowing it’s top. The favorite is before May 2010, 2/1 odds. However odds makers are giving 8/1 odds that Iceland’s volcano won’t stop until next year.

As incredible as this sounds, bettors will bet on anything. They always have and they always will.