The Betting on David Petraeus

Betting on the outcome of US elections is a sports book staple. And it is no surprise that prior to his resignation as CIA chief on November 9, General David Petraeus had garnered a respectable position in the 2016 US Presidential Election betting odds. For example, before the 2012 election top bookmakers William Hill, Ladbrokes, and Paddy Power all gave Petraeus 50/1 odds.

But these days, he may not even be elected dog catcher. The retired four-star general – celebrated for his handling of the Iraq surge – resigned after FBI investigators had uncovered his affair with his biographer Paula Broadwell. The scandal that has ensnared another general and is still unfolding has quickly became fodder for both late-night comics and odds makers as in: Bet which “other woman” gets a reality show!

Odds on a David Petraeus Movie

The markets currently offered are:

Who will play David Petraeus?

Who will play Paula Broadwell?

When will the movie be released?

The Irish betting house is offering odds of 7/1 that the Petraeus role will go to Jeff Bridges, The Big Lebowski star and veteran of other political roles.  Coming in a close second are Ed Harris and Tommy Lee Jones, tied at 8/1.

Who’s a Good Bet to Play Paula Broadwell?

The odds are 5/1 for Oscar winner Hilary Swanks, closely followed by Jennifer Connolly (10/1), Charlize Theron, and Julianne Moore , both at 12/1. The bet – which applies only to the first US- or UK-released movie on Petraeus and Broadwell – requires gamblers to bet only on EITHER the Petraeus or Broadwell roles, not both.

Movie Release Date?

Will the movie be released soon? Odds don’t have it is likely. 2013 gets odds of 20/1, while 2015 could be the earliest release date at 5/1.