Major developing stories in the betting world this week: Ballon d'Or wagers, multi-million dollar stakes, and Fukushima-related bets
The Ballon d'Or 2025 nominations have been announced, with French football star Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal leading the race according to international bookmakers.
Dembélé, currently the odds-on favorite, is enjoying an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain. His impressive performances, including winning the Champions League and a strong showing at the FIFA Club World Cup, have secured him a 83% chance of winning the prestigious award.
Yamal, a rising star from Barcelona, is hot on Dembélé's heels. His strong performances in the Champions League and Nations League have earned him a second place in betting odds.
Other notable players in the betting market include Vitinha, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer, Achraf Hakimi, and Fabian Ruiz, but none come close to Dembélé and Yamal in bookmaker preference.
Interestingly, Manchester City's Rodri, who won the Ballon d'Or last year, is not among the nominees this year due to a knee injury.
The Ballon d'Or, an annual award given by the French newspaper France Football, is popular among betting enthusiasts on the international market.
Meanwhile, in Zurich, the trial of a politician's son, accused of being involved in a mafia-like organization operating illegal online casinos and poker rounds, is expected to be handed down this week. The son, who contributed to the establishment of the illegal online casinos between March 2021 and February 2022, earning over €1.2 million, had several luxury watches and a private loan agreement worth millions seized during his arrest.
In a stark contrast, urban explorer Lukka Ventures discovered a functional Pachinko parlor in Fukushima's red zone, abandoned since the nuclear disaster in 2011. The arcade, filled with functional machines, some with coins scattered on the floor, and winning balls still in the dispensing chute, offers a glimpse into a bygone era.
Among the nominated players, Florian Wirtz is the only German player among the men. Nine of the nominated players are currently active at Paris Saint-Germain, including Dembélé and Mbappé. Other notable nominees include Harry Kane and Salah.
[1] Betting odds source 1 [2] Betting odds source 2 [3] Betting odds source 3 [4] Betting odds source 4 [5] Betting odds source 5
What about the general news? The trial of a politician's son in Zurich, who is accused of being involved in a mafia-like organization operating illegal online casinos and poker rounds, is expected to be handed down this week. Meanwhile, in a different realm of entertainment, urban explorer Lukka Ventures discovered a functional Pachinko parlor in Fukushima's red zone, abandoned since the nuclear disaster in 2011.
