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Gamblers are betting millions of dollars on who will be the next pope

Cardinals celebrate the sixth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 1, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 7, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

AsonlinegamblingcontinuestogrowintheUnitedStates,mostlyonsportsandcasinogames,bookmakershavealsoopenedbettingmarketsforavarietyofothercontests,includingthecurrentpapalconclave. TheCollegeofCardinalsisnowinthemidstofapapalconclavetoselectthenextearthlyheadoftheCatholicChurchinasolemnclosed-doorprocess.ThisconclavehasattractedglobalinterestfromCatholicsandnon-Catholicsalike,alongwithtensofmillionsofdollars’worthofbetsontheoutcome. Polymarket,apopularcryptocurrency-basedbettingplatform,isoverseeingmorethan$18millionworthofbetsonthepapalconclave.Anotherplatform,Kalshi,ismanagingnearly$6.7million. TheoddsmakersonPolymarketlistVaticanSecretaryofStateCardinalPietroParolinasthefavoritetobeselectedwith27%oddsandrankFilipinoCardinalLuisAntonioTagleatsecondwitha22%chance.ThecardinalsjustbelowthemincludeMatteoZuppiat11%,Pier