Sporting Index launches UK general election site

SPORTING Index has launched Election 2010 Zone, a mini-site dedicated to markets related to the British general election next month.

The site contains a range of markets which allow the public to challenge predictions such as the number of seats each party will win and which parties will claim each constituency.

The site also features a blog from Sporting Index politics trader Zak Taylor, links to other political blogs on the web such as PoliticalBetting.com, and a countdown to election day on 6 May.

The Conservative party led by David Cameron, the main opposition to Gordon Brown’s ruling Labour party, is currently expected to win 327 seats compared to 223 for Labour.

The site’s ‘Swingometer’ market, modeled on an election coverage device of the same name used by the BBC, awards 100 points if the Tories win power, zero points if Labour win and 50 points if there is a hung parliament, currently stands at 74.

Also having lauched election products are Betfair, which launched a new site with polling and research company ComRes giving the most up-to-date predictions on the race, Barcrest Group, which is supplying Ladbrokes and other clients with election game Poll Position, and social betting exchange Smarkets.com.

Sporting Index is currently seeking a new chairman after Richard Glynn left to become the new chief executive of Ladbrokes, replacing outgoing Ladbrokes chief executive Chris Bell.