Bet On Human Suffering With A Wager On Formula 1

It is, according to UK gambling laws, illegal to bet on human suffering and yet the bookies like Bet365 are still offering prices on one of the Williams Formula One drivers winning the next Grand Prix at Spa in Belgium. They’ll claim there’s a slight chance Russell or Kubica could actually win by dint of technical and driving prowess, or the lack thereof in others, but we all know the truth; the only way either of those cars could win a Grand Prix is if everyone else dies.

Since the lamentable death of the genius that was Ayrton Senna Formula 1 has striven to become the safest Formula 1 it can possibly be. This has, in the view of some, wholly ruined the sport. The lack of accidents, injuries and deaths allowing it to become stale and repetitive. The same faces in the same cars. A competition of spreadsheets alone. This is a shame, not only because it makes F1 betting a trifle dull, but also because it renders some wagers a bet on human suffering.

Formula One Returns From Summer Break At Spa In Belgium

Naturally when the bookies like Bet365 offer 3000/1 on Antonio Giovinazzi they will deny to win one would need to see a multi-car pile up on track, that it is a bet on human suffering, and instead hint at outlandish scenarios as a way it might pay off. Shame then that anyone with any experience of the sport knows that unless there’s blood and carbon fibre spread liberally across Spa he’s got as much chance of being on the podium as I do of being elected the new Italian PM.

2019 Belgian Grand Prix 

• Everyone Else – 1000/1+
• Alexander Albon – 80/1
• Max Verstappen – 8/1
• Valtteri Bottas – 7/1
• Charles Leclerc – 3/1
• Sebastian Vettel – 11/4
• Lewis Hamilton – 11/8

The bookies are thus playing on the ambiguity as to what is and is not a bet on human suffering. We’re allowed to bet on Brexit, Donald Trump and The Eurovision Song Contest already and no one mentions all the suffering they cause when we do, and people have been gambling on life and death for thousands of years. It’s a shame that those hitting up Bet365, one of the most fabulous online betting sites in the UK these days, can no longer openly do the same as their ancestors. 

Should You Be Allowed To Bet On Human Suffering?

The Belgian Grand Prix will be an exciting race, the first back after their summer break, but it won’t be a blood bath, the usual suspects will end up on the steps with the champagne, the rest having to content themselves with the meager points on offer to people racing for 6th place. To bet on Formula 1 suddenly developing a level of competitiveness where any of these outside wagers are worth touching is as bonkers as wanting to bet on human suffering in the first place.

F1 Drivers Championship

• Anyone Else – 3000/1+
• Charles Leclerc – 200/1
• Sebastian Vettel – 150/1
• Valtteri Bottas – 50/1
• Max Verstappen – 14/1
• Lewis Hamilton – 1/25

For those more intent on winning than seeing posh boys in fire proof underwear pin-wheeling into the woods Lewis Hamilton is favorite at 11/8 at Bet365, one of the best online sportsbooks sites in the UK today. This just holds off the challenge from Sebastian Vettel at 11/4, whilst Charles Leclerc getting 3/1 might worry Seb, and the 7/1 Bottas gets will worry nobody. Max gets 8/1 and Albon, new boy in the top slots, gets 80/1 and is probably the best each way bet.