500 Years of Betting on Papal Conclaves: From Secret Wagers to the Internet Age
2025-02-27
Since the 16th century, papal elections have been the focus of secretive gambling. From the Republic of Venice banning bets on the Pope's lifespan to Roman bankers openly offering odds, and Gregory XIV declaring betting on papal elections heretical, this centuries-long gambling saga has been turbulent. In the modern era, the internet has revived papal election gambling, although it remains illegal in places like the United States, the legal lines are increasingly blurred. This article reviews this unique gambling phenomenon spanning five centuries, from early secret transactions to modern online betting, showcasing the interplay of power, faith, and money.