LONDON (UK) – Bookmakers in Britain halted betting on the results of the US election on Friday after President Donald Trump announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Among firms that halted all betting on the November 3 contest were Ladbrokes, Irish-based Paddy Power as well as online gambling exchange Betfair.
A spokeswoman for Ladbrokes said in a statement, “We have temporarily taken the U.S. election markets down as we await further updates – this is standard procedure and we wish Donald and Melania Trump well.”
Betfair had put Democratic challenger Joe Biden’s for having winning chances of 60% on Wednesday after the first US presidential debate. However, odds against Biden rose from 56% before the debate, while Trump’s fell to 40%.
While betting on politics is not legal in the United States, it is permitted in Britain.