# Publicity bets.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/publicity-bets/68638>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 13, 2001, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/publicity-bets/68638 "2001-06-13T06:05:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2001, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/publicity-bets/68638/1 "2001-06-13T06:05:57Z")

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What is the official legality of the bets made by public officials. Like when the governor of Idaho bets a hundred pounds of potatoes against Iowa’s governor and a hundred pounds of bacon that the local team will beat the other guys local team. There were a couple of senators that bet between Colorado and New Jersey in the cup. Is there anything that makes this legal, or is it wink-wink-good-natured-fun type of situation from the police?