Friendly political wager

Differences from typical sports betting

• 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 even national leaders. For additional effect, the two wagering parties may be 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 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.

  Examples

• Senators Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota made a friendly wager on the outcome of the 2010 National Football Conference Championship Game between the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings: "If the Saints win, Klobuchar will cook gumbo and deliver it to Landrieu's office while wearing a Drew Brees jersey for Louisiana constituents to enjoy. If the Vikings win, Landrieu will cook a Minnesota wild rice casserole and deliver it to Klobuchar's office while wearing a Brett Favre jersey for Minnesota constituents to enjoy." The Saints won.
• Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick bet over the outcome of the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots. O'Malley promised Maryland crab cakes to Patrick if the Ravens lost, while Patrick pledged lobsters if the Patriots lost. The Ravens prevailed, and O'Malley, in a YouTube video, said "Hey Deval, send down the lob-stah" in a mock Boston accent."