In 1998 more Britons than ever will be trying to predict the future - and make money at the same time. Bookmakers are expecting a bumper year as people take up the challenge to 'put your money where your mouth is'.

Punters also want to bet on a much wider range of events, and bookmakers are giving odds on bets as bizarre as whether Page 3 model Melinda Messenger will become a nun in 1998 - not that unlikely the bookies think with odds at 66/1. Other odds include Chris Evans being Director General of the BBC at 100/1, Gary Glitter and Michael Jackson to record a top 40 duet at 100/1 or former Tory defence minister Michael Portillo will become a Labour MP at 66/1.

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Horse racing currently accounts for 70% of British betting turnover but betting on other sports has become more popular. Main sports events for 1998 include football's World and European Cups, the Winter Olympics, cricket's World Cup and the Five Nations rugby championship, in the words of a spokesman for bookmakers Ladbrokes "It promises to be the biggest betting year ever".

Classic Bets

Of course you can still get odds on classic bets. Prince Charles to wed is offered at 10/1. The existence of aliens or the Loch Ness monster come in at 66/1 and 500/1 respectively. The Thames to freeze over between Westminster and Tower bridges stands at 100/1, and you can bet on almost anyone taking the 1998 Christmas No.1 single slot.

But if you're more adventurous you can back the Spice Girls movie, SpiceWorld, to win the Best Film award at the Oscars - at 500/1. If the subject of Europe makes your blood boil, then perhaps betting that Britain will pull out of the EU sounds a good bet at 100/1.

If you are thinking "surely no-one could waste money on those odds", then think again. The following are some of the bets placed in 1997:

Wacky bets made in 1997

Gavin Priestley from Paignton in Devon, has staked £20 with William Hill on his 2 year old nephew, James priestley, to become Champion Jockey by 2020 at odds of 5000/1. He could win £100,000.

Doctor You Sen Huang of Beijing has bet £200 at 500/1 (wins £100,000) that by 2010 a Chinese born player will win the World Snooker Championships.

Nicola Ibison of London has bet £50 on her god-son Charles Beckett (born 3.11.95) to play rugby for England by the age of 30. William Hill gave her odds of 5000/1 and she could win £250,000

David Graham, also of London, will win £1 million if his 75 year old, 23 handicap, golfing father-in-law Willie Tait wins the British Open. He put on £1 at 1,000,000/1

A punter from Essex has staked £10 at 5000/1 that a human brain transplant will take place in 1998.

A man in Crawley will win £500,000 from a £50 bet if UFOs land in Wiltshire by October 30th , 2000.

And finally, a long lasting bet:
Stanley Mannering from Maida Vale, London, could win £1 million from William Hill after he bet £139 that he will live to be 120. he is currently 52.
 

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