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2024 US Presidential Election – Cloudbet Market Movers

After a hotly-contested campaign for the 2020 election, and a see-sawing betting market to match, Cloudbet customers are already sowing some seeds for the leading candidates in 2024
* Kamala Harris is firming up as favourite, down to 4.61, ahead of President Biden at 5.06
* Before the storming of the Capitol, Donald Trump was 34.0 to win in 2024. Today? he’s down to 8.0
* Mike Pence, on the other hand, is drifting out to 12.0 from 9.0
With Donald Trump barely out of the White House and Joe Biden ensconced as the 46th President, you’d think it would be time for the betting public to draw breath and have a break from all things political. But not a bit of it… leading crypto betting operator Cloudbet has already seen plenty of action in its 2024 markets.
Setting the Scene
The 2020 US Presidential election was the biggest betting single event in history. $1.8 billion was wagered on Trump v Biden in the Betfair Exchange alone.
Joe Biden was the odds-on favourite – however, for leading crypto betting operator Cloudbet, 80% of the money taken on the US election had been on Trump and the Republicans – and it’s a theme evident across other books as well – with many on the record that a huge proportion of money continued to roll in for Trump and people continued to distrust polling data.
Regardless, Biden and the Democrats won – with a clear 306-versus-232 Electoral College majority, and leading the popular vote tally by a whopping 7.06 million votes. As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ultimately put it, “this election actually was not unusually close.”
So, this time you’d expect Trump backers to be a tad more circumspect? Well.. up to a point, yes. If you’d looked at the markets you’d have seen Donald J Snr a lowly 33/1 (34.0 in decimals) for 2024. And then came the Capitol riots.. and even since then, the MAGA army have been backing their overlord, down into 8/1 (9.0) for today, after he vaguely promised “”we will be back – in some form” during his farewell salvo.
The Trump Dynasty
While we all wait to see if Trump’s second impeachment is more successful in Congress than the first, the Trump family is still seeing some movement in the markets. Ivanka is the most popular Trump, currently priced at at 25/1 (26.0 in decimals). While Trump’s namesake and eldest son Don Jnr can be backed at 50/1 (51.0). And poor Eric? The second son is a sibling sideshow and rank outsider at 108, even drifting over the past week from 100/1.
Cruzing for Another Bruising
Ted Cruz made his bid before the Capitol riots to pick up the Trump MAGA mantle. But it’s not working for him – at 35.0, he’s even behind Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson 29.0. Fox News’ opinionist-in-chief Tucker Carlson is a rather surprising 34.0 shot.
So far there’s little appetite in the market for another TV celebrity to replace The Apprentice’s Donald Trump. Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Mark Zuckerberg are the only other ones to get a quote on the leaderboard; but all rate at longshot, triple-digit threats.
For now, the only serious political figures gaining the public’s attention are the new President and Vice President. Although, interestingly, customers are backing VP Kamala Harris (4.61) to take the top job in 2024, not her boss Joe Biden (5.06), who will be about to celebrate his 82nd birthday at the next election. Despite attending the inauguration, former Vice President Mike Pence can’t be hopeful of his chances, with his odds drifting like a barge.
And for the rest of the field? Unsurprisingly, bettors are waiting to see what happens next amongst the two main parties. That said, one name, Republican ex-Governor Nikki Haley (former UN Ambassador under Donald Trump), is seeing a small surge of money, dropping down from prices in the mid-20s into 15.0. So, if you want to take an early punt, the markets are suggesting this is the most likely early candidate to claim the Republican ticket to be America’s 47th President.
Central America
21VIRAL Boosts Latin American Reach Through Strategic Partnership with Virtualsoft

21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, has strengthened its expansion by signing an agreement with platform provider Virtualsoft
21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, today announced a strategic agreement with prominent platform provider Virtualsoft, significantly strengthening its expansion across the region.
This collaboration will integrate 21VIRAL’s extensive portfolio of games into Virtualsoft’s platform, providing enhanced content options for operators across key Central and Latin American nations. Virtualsoft is a key supplier with a strong presence in markets including Ecuador and Peru, delivering innovative gaming solutions to a diverse range of operators.
Christoph Härtel, CEO of 21VIRAL, commented: “Partnering with Virtualsoft is a pivotal moment for 21VIRAL as we deepen our engagement with one of the world’s most rapidly advancing online gaming markets. Virtualsoft underpins numerous leading brands in the region, and integrating our GameConnector solution will allow swift access to their operational brands. We look forward to working closely with Virtualsoft’s talented team to deliver innovative and revenue driving gaming experiences.”
Alejandro Velez, General Manager at Virtualsoft, stated: “21VIRAL has a strong reputation for seamless integrations and profound expertise in the Latin American gaming market, making them an ideal partner for us. Together, we are streamlining operations and elevating the gaming experience for players, aiming to set new benchmarks for the industry.”
Compliance Updates
New Bill in California Could End Online Sweepstakes Gaming

California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 831 to protect Californians from unregulated online gambling by prohibiting online sweepstakes games that use a “dual currency” model to mimic casino-style wagering.
“Sweepstakes” platforms sell virtual coins that are used to play casino-style games and can be redeemed for cash or prizes, essentially operating as unlicensed gambling businesses. By exploiting “No Purchase Necessary” disclaimers, they sidestep California’s regulatory framework and evade the state’s voter-approved proposition related to Tribal-State gaming. Many of these “sweepstakes” operators are based offshore and function without proper oversight, avoiding requirements like consumer protections, responsible gaming safeguards, background checks, and tax compliance.
“We cannot look the other way while these platforms exploit legal grey areas. These operations undermine the voter-approved framework that affirms Tribal governments’ sovereign right to conduct gaming in California. AB 831 strengthens that framework and ensures gaming in California remains fair and accountable,” said Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.
AB 831 fortifies existing sweepstakes laws and clarifies the illegality of internet-based sweepstakes that use the dual currency model. It reinforces the shared responsibility between the State, licensed operators, and Native Nations to keep gaming safe, transparent, and accountable. AB 831 is co-sponsored by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN), reflecting strong support from across Indian Country.
“For over 25 years, Tribal governments like Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, have upheld the will of California voters by operating gaming with integrity. That commitment has allowed us to reinvest in our communities, boost local economies, and support essential public services on reservations and in partnerships across the state. Illegal online gaming now threatens this foundation—compromising voter-approved law and putting Californians at risk,” said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.
“We support this legislation that will close dangerous loopholes and strengthen the integrity of California’s gaming system. We remain committed to defending a proven framework that protects the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and delivers real and lasting benefits to all Californians. Together, Tribal governments and the State of California will continue to address and take decisive action against illegal internet gaming in all its forms,” said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez, Jr.
“Tribal government gaming contributes nearly $25 billion to California’s economy, sustains over 112,000 jobs, and funds critical community programs. Unregulated online sweepstakes threaten this voter-approved system by imitating casino gaming without oversight, accountability, or community investment. These illegal platforms erase the benefits of regulated gaming while exposing consumers to serious risks,” said CNIGA Chairman James Siva.
AB 831 is pending a hearing in the Senate.
Compliance Updates
New Initiative from DI Council Aims to Enable Betting on Professional Sports

The Division I Council introduced a proposal that, if adopted in October, would change sports betting rules to permit student-athletes and staff members to bet on professional sports and refocus the Association’s enforcement efforts on college sports betting and behaviors that directly impact game integrity. If adopted, the change will be implemented only if Divisions II and III also vote to allow betting on pro sports.
The council’s introduction of the proposal, which comes after a directive from the Division I Board of Directors in April that the council adopt changes to sports betting rules, is not an endorsement of sports betting behaviors, especially for college athletes. The NCAA’s prohibition against betting on college sports would remain in place, as would the prohibitions against sharing information about college events with bettors. The NCAA also would continue to maintain its prohibition for NCAA championships against advertising and sponsorships associated with betting.
“NCAA rules prohibiting sports betting at all levels were written and adopted at a time when sports gambling was largely illegal nationwide,” said Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the council. “As betting on sports has become more widely accepted across the country, Division I members have determined that further discussion of these sports betting rules is warranted, particularly as it relates to the potential distinctions between betting on professional versus collegiate sports. Throughout our discussions, the council has remained focused on student-athlete wellness and educating student-athletes about the risks and potentially harmful impacts of betting.”
Current NCAA rules do not allow student-athletes or institutional staff to engage in sports betting at any level (professional, college or amateur) for any sports that have NCAA championships, and NCAA members have continually maintained that any betting by a student-athlete on his or her own team or own sport in college should continue to result in a permanent loss of any remaining collegiate eligibility. However, in 2023, Division I changed the reinstatement guidelines for student-athletes who participate in sports betting on professional sports to focus on harm reduction for problematic betting behaviors.
“Deregulating professional sports betting may provide schools an additional opportunity to implement harm-reduction strategies, which can be more effective and have long-term benefits not seen with abstinence-only approaches. Harm-reduction strategies include education, stigma reduction and acknowledging actual behaviors,” said Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer. “By meeting student-athletes where they are, schools may be more effective at preventing, identifying and supporting student-athletes with problematic gambling behaviors. Regardless of the change, schools are encouraged to use the many sports betting resources already available.”
The recently released Harm Reduction Considerations for Gambling & Sports Betting in Collegiate Sports references available sports betting resources, including the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices. Additionally, more than 100,000 student-athletes, coaches and administrators have been reached through the NCAA’s education efforts with EPIC Global Solutions, and the NCAA has launched an e-learning module to educate student-athletes on problem gambling harms and the integrity risks associated with sports betting.
Several sports betting-related violations by staff members at NCAA schools have been resolved through the infractions process in recent years, and the enforcement staff is working on issuing Notices of Allegations in several ongoing cases that involve allegations of betting on professional and college sports by student-athletes and/or athletics department staff members at a handful of NCAA schools.
The proposed rule change would not be retroactive. If it is adopted, it would apply only to sports betting activities that occur after the effective date of the proposal.
“The enforcement staff’s sports betting-related caseload has significantly increased in recent years, and our staff — including our new sports betting integrity unit — has been effective in detecting and pursuing violations,” said Jon Duncan, NCAA vice president of enforcement.
The Association prioritizes competition integrity, which is vital to college sports. The NCAA uses a layered strategy to respond responsibly to the rise in sports betting across the United States by monitoring over 22,000 contests per year, advocating for limits on prop bets that pose heightened risks, reducing the potential for student-athlete abuse by aggrieved bettors, and creating greater transparency to assist with the timely investigation and resolution of integrity-related issues.
This layered approach includes the most recent agreement extension with Genius Sports to establish unprecedented betting restrictions on high-risk proposition bets. Sportsbooks licensing NCAA championship data must cooperate fully with NCAA investigations, including providing access to account data, financial history and geolocation records. This will allow the NCAA to work with the sportsbooks to gather detailed account information when harassers are identified to prevent repeat offenders from continuing to place bets across platforms, increasing safeguards to protect student-athlete mental health and well-being.
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