General election 2024: Are the public betting?

So could any particular outcome cause the bookies a problem?

No, said Brett, adding: “Our liabilities are very, very low…. we are just talking quite minimal stakes really.”

Rachel said if Reform UK won an overall majority it would be Paddy Power’s biggest general election pay-out.

Despite fewer people betting on this election than previous elections, Brett said generally speaking elections tended to attract more custom than other national moments, for instance the naming of a royal baby, because it “affects everybody’s lives”.

But overall, betting on politics was “probably quite a niche area”, he said.

“Political betting is one for the anoraks who know their stuff,” agreed Rachael.

“But it all comes down to how engaged the public are in a topic.

“If people are talking about it, then people are more likely to have a punt on it as it will get more attention in the news cycle and as a result they’ll feel better informed and more likely to have a flutter.”