Last night debate’s in South Carolina prove Bernie Sanders is the frontrunner and favorite to win the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
After winning three early primary states in a row, Sanders took punches from each of the other candidates on stage all night long.
Unfortunately for them, there was never a knock out blow delivered to the Vermont senator when it came to the substance of stances. Trying to recreate the red scare by saying “socialism” and “communism” may have worked in the past, but most voters have made it clear surface level attacks are weak.
Nevertheless, not much is expected to change in regards to the fourth and final early primary state, according to the Vegas election odds from online sportsbooks.
And even though Sanders has three wins notched into his belt, the Las Vegas oddsmakers favor Joe Biden to apply some ointment to the Bern in South Carolina and cool off his pipping hot momentum.
South Carolina Primary Betting Odds
From Bovada
- Joe Biden -225
- Bernie Sanders +180
- Tom Steyer +10000
- Amy Klobuchar +10000
- Elizabeth Warren +10000
- Pete Buttigieg +10000
*Graded as determined by the South Carolina Election Commission.
According to the state betting odds for the South Carolina primary election on Sat., Feb. 29, Biden is the betting favorite to win the Palmetto State at -225, meaning a $2.25 bet could win $1 if he receives the most votes.
Sanders, who had been favored by Vegas online sportsbooks in each of the three previous states, is listed as a +180 underdog, where a $1 wager could pay $1.80 if the Vermont senator pulls off the upset in South Carolina.
The South Carolina polling forecast at FiveThirtyEight currently, as of Feb. 26, show Biden leading the state polls and receiving 30.4% support on average. Sanders receives 22.6% in recent Palmetto State polls and Tom Steyer, at 12.8%, is the only other candidate polling in the double digits.
Despite being a heavy underdog, Steyer’s odds to win South Carolina, at +10000, seem incredibly undervalued.
Steyer likely won’t win the state this weekend, but the hedge fund billionaire had a solid debate performance and has spent nearly $15 million on ad buys in South Carolina leading up to the primary.
Considering a $1 bet would $100, Steyer’s odds indicate he has virtually no chance, meaning he’s significantly undervalued. Or, at the very least, he should not have the same chances to win as the other candidates, who all receive single-digit polling numbers on average.
Democratic Nominee Betting Odds
From Bovada
- Bernie Sanders -125
- Michael Bloomberg +300
- Joe Biden +750
- Pete Buttigieg +950
- Hillary Clinton +3300
- Elizabeth Warren +5000
- Amy Klobuchar +10000
- Michelle Obama +10000
- Tom Steyer +25000
- Tulsi Gabbard +25000
When it comes to Democratic nominee odds, Sanders’ chances continue to show him with a significant edge over his primary opponents.
Sanders’ -125 odds indicate you must invest $1.25 for a $1 return on investment, provided that the Vermont senator receives 1,991 delegates to clinch the Democratic Party presidential nomination.
Mike Bloomberg poses the biggest threat to Sanders at this point in the race, and his +300 odds, where a $1 bet wins $3, may have value if you believe $60 billion is enough to buy the nomination and potentially the White House as well.
Biden’s odds of becoming the Democratic nominee are dependant on his showing in South Carolina.
If Biden wins on Saturday, he’s chances will increase, meaning the +750 odds for $1 to win $7.50 would become a substantially lower payout. However, if he loses, then there’s a strong chance the former Vice President’s campaign might be over.
