Friendly political wager

A friendly political wager is a largely symbolic form of sports betting made between politicians representing two cities or areas on the outcome of an important sports contest between teams representing those same two cities or areas. These wagers are most commonly made in the United States and Canada on the results of playoffs in the National Hockey League, National Football League and Major League Baseball as well as, on occasion, the Olympic Games. Although they are technically a form of gambling, friendly political wagers are generally tolerated by the sports leagues and regulatory authorities as harmless publicity stunts and gestures of regional pride. Friendly political wagers The wagers are highly publicised, usually with official press releases. The participants are generally high-ranking politicians; most commonly mayors, but also frequently including governors, and Senators and (much more rarely) even national leaders. For additional effect, the two wagering parties may be (but are not always) members of opposite political parties. The bets are made directly with each other, with no bookmakers involved. The participants must bet in favor of the team that they represent; for instance, the mayor of Green Bay would only make a friendly wager of this sort on the outcome of a Green Bay Packers game by betting in favor of the Packers. Usually occur during high-profile playoff games. Are for symbolic wagers, usually prestige or local food or drink. They do not involve money. In the rare event money is wagered, the bet is an even bet (no point spread or money line is used) and the wager is donated to a local charity in the winner's metropolitan area. They do not involve influencing the way the officials vote on legislation. They do not involve wagering the office (a rival officeholder cannot demand his opponent's resignation). The most common types of wager are those for symbolic value only, and those for a token food prize.