COVID-19, or Coronavirus, has caused several major sports organizations to postpone operations or cancel games and tournaments entirely. The NCAA has canceled all postseason college basketball tournaments, and the XFL has decided to end its 2020 season after five games. The MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS have all decided to postpone league activities for at least 30 days in hopes that the Coronavirus can run its course in that time.
Those that are interested in wagering on sports now face a large chunk of time where there will not be very much to bet on. However, there are a few leagues that are continuing to play games across the globe, and major offshore sportsbooks are still taking wagers on them.
Russian NHL and VHL Hockey
Russia’s two professional hockey leagues are currently in the middle of their playoff schedule and are competing for their respective titles. The MHL is referred to as the youth hockey league and does not allow for players over the age of 20 years old to complete. The VHL is known as the Supreme Hockey League and features world-class players that are on par with the talent in the National Hockey League. News is always sparse when coming from Russia, but so far, there has been no announcement that hockey playoffs will be canceled or postponed, and major offshore sportsbooks are offering odds on the contests.
Soccer in Europe and the Middle East Region
Germany will not be shutting down its soccer league. Germany Bundesliga league games will continue despite a Yahoo Sports report of a player contracting COVID-19. German professional soccer games will be conducted “behind closed doors,” but exact clarification of what that means has yet to be revealed. Odds are also available for wagering on soccer in the Middle East region, with betting lines available for Serbian, Bahraini, and Uzbekistani leagues.
Betting On Turkish Basketball
Lace up those sneaks and get psyched for some Turkish hoops, people! No, really, Turkish basketball is a thing, and betting on it can be easier than actually figuring out how to watch the games. If you’re not feeling like laying some action on Ankara Kayo Genclik, then perhaps a contest from the Russian or Tunisian basketball leagues will be more to your liking. Act fast, because just like any other sporting contest, odds are being adjusted all the time.
Entertainment Betting
One significant advantage that top offshore sportsbooks have over USA-based bookies is that they offer odds on Entertainment betting, such as reality show competitions or awards show results. Vegas does not provide entertainment betting lines or odds, and other in-country sportsbooks have traditionally followed their lead. Offshore sportsbooks are the only option for these types of wagers, and there is never a shortage of them. Here are a few examples of theses types of wagers that can keep the betting action hot throughout the Coronavirus layover.
Betting on American Idol Season 18
American Idol odds provided by BetOnline.
First judge to get fired or leave
- Lionel Ritchie +100
- Katy Perry +150
- Luke Bryan +225
Gender of Winner
- Female -110
- Male -110
- Transgender +1800
Song of final performance Season Finale
- Written by Female -110
- Written by Male -110
- Original Song +500
Betting on Big Brother Brasil / Canada
Brazil has its own version of Big Brother, and it has been on the air for 20 seasons, making it the third longest-running version of the show behind Spain and the United States. The show airs every single night of the week, so there’s a lot to pay attention to if you want to get an edge on oddsmakers.
Big Brother Brasil odds provided by Bovada.
Big Brother 2020 Brasil
- Felipe Prior +150
- Babu Santana +225
- Pyong Lee +700
- Rafa Kalimann +750
- Gizelly Bicalho +800
- Manu Gavassi +2200
- Marcela McGowan +2500
- Thelma Assis +2500
- Mari Gonzalez +4000
- Flayslane Da Silva +6600
- Gabi Martins +6600
- Daniel Lenhardt +10000
- Ivy Moraes +10000
Big Brother Canada season 8 debuted on March 4th, and we are expecting odds to be posted any day now.
Betting on Politics
The entertainment betting category also includes betting lines for political outcomes, and with the democratic primary ongoing and the presidential election on the horizon, betting on politics is just getting started. Of course, with Joe Biden beginning to take control of the Democratic Primary, betting lines could dry up until closer to the presidential election in November.
US Political odds provided by Bovada.
US Presidential Election 2020 – Odds To Win
- Donald Trump -110
- Joe Biden +110
- Bernie Sanders +2500
- Mike Pence +3500
- Hillary Clinton +6000
- Michelle Obama +15000
- Nikki Haley +15000
- Tulsi Gabbard +30000
- William (Bill) Weld +50000
US Presidential Election 2020 – Democratic Candidate
- Joe Biden -1400
- Hillary Clinton +1600
- Bernie Sanders +1800
- Michelle Obama +4000
- Tulsi Gabbard +20000
US Presidential Election 2020 – Republican Candidate
- Donald Trump -1400
- Mike Pence +1500
- Nikki Haley +4000
- William (Bill) Weld +8000
- John Kasich +10000
- Mitt Romney +10000
- Ben Sasse +15000
- Paul Ryan +20000
US Presidential Election 2020 – Winning Party
- Democratic Party -115
- Republican Party -115