8 of the strangest bets from around the world

Gambling has a knack for pushing boundaries, doesn’t it? With the right platform—be it a top-rated online casino or a land-based gaming house—you might stumble across bets so bizarre they leave you scratching your head.

Believe it or not, wagering on the weird and wonderful is far from a modern invention—it’s been a peculiar pastime for decades!

1. The man with the suitcase

Let’s start with the incredible story of William Bergstrom, better known as the Suitcase Man or The Phantom Gambler. Bergstrom wasn’t just any gambler—he was a legend in the world of high-stakes betting.

In September 1980, he walked into Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, with two suitcases. One was empty, and the other held a jaw-dropping $777,000 in cash.

Bergstrom vanished from the casino scene for a few years, only to return in March 1984. He bet $538,000 and won again. But his luck didn’t hold forever. In November of that same year, he bet a whopping $1 million—and lost.

Tragically, shortly after this defeat, he ended his life. Whether it was the loss or something deeper that drove him remains a mystery.

2. Betting on the apocalypse

Ever wondered if someone’s ever tried to bet on the end of the world? Well, John Gillies from the UK did just that. He wagered £1,000 that the world would end before the year 2000. Sounds absurd, right?

But here’s the kicker: Gillies won—not because the apocalypse happened but because the bookmaker, who was a friend of his, passed away before the new millennium. Talk about a morbid twist of fate!

3. The snail racing championship

Leave it to the British to turn snail racing into a spectacle! Every year, Norfolk hosts the World Snail Racing Championship, an event that draws participants and spectators alike. Naturally, where there’s competition, there’s betting. Enthusiasts place their wagers on the snail they believe will cross the finish line first.

4. Rolling with the cheese

If you thought snail racing was peculiar, wait until you hear about the cheese-rolling tradition in Gloucestershire, England. Every year, daredevils chase wheels of cheese down a steep hill, risking life and limb for glory.

Spectators, of course, get in on the action by betting on which chunk of cheese—or which competitor—will make it to the bottom first. Certainly one of the most exciting and strangest thing you can bet on! Who knew dairy could be so thrilling?

5. A cheeseburger worth $10,000

Howard Lederer, a professional poker player nicknamed "The Professor," was known for his calculated gameplay and vegetarian lifestyle. But even he couldn’t resist the allure of an unusual wager. After a game, fellow poker pro David Grey challenged Lederer to eat a cheeseburger for $10,000.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lederer accepted. Despite attempts to back the other out, neither budged. Lederer ate the cheeseburger and pocketed the cash.

But that’s not the end of the story. Apparently, Lederer later offered Grey a chance to win his money back—if Grey would eat just two olives. Whether Grey took the bet or not remains a mystery, but one thing’s for sure: poker and its players know how to keep things interesting!

6. Betting it all on red

Roulette has always been a game of high stakes, but Ashley Revell took it to an entirely new level. In 2004, the English gambler sold all his possessions—yes, even his clothes—leaving him with $135,000 in cash. With everything he owned riding on this moment, Revell headed to Las Vegas.

7. Wagering on Kim Jong-Un

When it comes to betting, even world leaders aren’t off-limits. North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un has inspired some truly bizarre wagers over the years. Paddy Power, a well-known bookmaker, once took bets on when he would step down, with some predicting he’d remain in power until his death or around 2031.

But that’s not the strangest part. People have even bet on whether Kim Jong-Un would challenge US President Donald Trump to a round of golf. Both are known golf enthusiasts, after all. Politics, golf, and gambling—who knew they made such a compelling trio?

8. Betting on Doomsday

If you’re convinced you know when the world will end, Paddy Power has a bet for you. For a $50,000 stake, you can predict the exact date of the apocalypse. The only catch? Well, if you’re right, there might not be anyone left to cash in on your winnings. It’s a gamble in the truest sense!

Wanna bet?

From million-dollar wagers to snail races and cheese chases, the world of betting is anything but boring. With the right bookmaker and a penchant for the peculiar, it seems there’s no limit to what people will wager on.