What a difference two weeks can make.
It was a mere fortnight ago when Bernie Sanders was the odds-on favorite to attain the Democratic Party nomination for President, and Trump was viewed by oddsmakers as a heavy favorite to become re-elected for a second term.
Fast forward to the present, and now Joe Biden is nearly a lock to become the democratic nominee for President, Trump just gave the most critical State of the Union speech of his presidency, and his odds to win a second term at top sportsbooks are tanking.
For several weeks now, the Coronavirus has spread across the globe in rapid fashion, infecting many and causing the death of those with pre-existing conditions. The virus is no joke, but Trump was not quick to press the panic button.
Unfortunately, many industry leaders began to take precautions in advance of Trump’s State of the Union address, with the NCAA declaring that no fans will be in attendance for its March Madness college basketball tournament, and the NBA suspending all games for the foreseeable future.
Political odds provided by Bovada.
Presidential Odds on February 7, 2020
- Donald Trump -150
- Bernie Sanders +425
- Michael Bloomberg +750
- Joe Biden +850
Presidential Odds on March 12, 2020
- Donald Trump -115
- Joe Biden +110
- Bernie Sanders +4000
- Hillary Clinton +5000
These American odds converted to intrinsic odds indicate a fall from 60% to a 53% chance of winning the presidency this fall. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders has taken a massive tumble after suffering heavy losses in the polls during the last two Tuesday primaries. Joe Biden now sits at near even odds with a 48% to become the next President of the United States.
One of Trump’s biggest selling points was the success that the economy has experienced under his regime. Now that the Dow Jones average is in a week-long nosedive based on Coronavirus concerns, he can no longer use Wall Street success as one of his accolades.
It may seem absurd to blame Trump for the rapid spread of Coronavirus in the United States, but his lackadaisical response to the threat has undoubtedly hampered the county’s efforts to stave off the illness. President Trump’s State of the Union address on Wednesday night portrayed a proper sense of urgency and revealed a series of initiatives intended to combat the spread of the virus, but it is too little, too late?
Odds to attain Coronavirus in the United States is still microscopically low, but with the spread so rapid, and the hibernation time of the virus uncertain, many professional sports leagues have halted operations for the time being. Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, and Major League Soccer have suspended operations until further notice.
More leagues are expected to make adjustments. NBC Sports reports that the XFL’s Seattle Dragons game this weekend will have no fans in attendance after the Governor of Washington prohibited gatherings of over 250 people. With so many leagues wrapping up operations, the XFL may decide to suspend activities as well.
Also included in the President’s State of the Union address was a ban on all travel to and for Europe for 30 days. This decision is sure to further negatively affect economic markets, so look for the presidential betting odds between Biden and Trump to narrow even further.