Gambling Website Takes Bets on Castros Death

Fidel Castro, the Cuban president, is the subject of betting rounds that internet sites are offering. Castro has been declared as having a stable health condition by the Cuban government as he recovers from an intestinal operation, but one site is taking bets on when the president will die.

Costa Rica-based BetUS.com claims that it has taken thousands of bets, mainly on the Miami area, on when the leader will die. He will be 80 on Aug. 13.

"We do not normally offer bets on deaths," Mike Foreman, a spokesman for the website, said yesterday, "but we figured this was a unique occasion because it's about international politics.

"We knew there was a lot of interest in it." He said. "Typically, on these novelty bets we have a limit of $500 [262 UK Pounds] and most of the bets are around $100."

Other betting sites have opted to steer clear of betting on death dates on grounds of taste. However, some sites are inviting wagers on whether Castro will reappear before his birthday.

"Many of us were amazed at Castro's staying power but he's no Stonehenge," said Mickey Richardson of betCRIS.com. "Every reign has an end point and it would appear that Castro's is fast approaching."