AN IRISH bookmaker has opened themselves up for criticism after controversially offering odds on the upcoming Oscar Pistorius murder trial.
Paddy Power has come under fire on social media for the offering on their website which is listed under the ‘'Novelty Bets' section of the website
Under the title 'Premeditated murder charge verdict', the bookmaker has offered odds on 'Guilty' and 'Not guilty' ahead of the start of the trial.
The betting page on PaddyPower.comA further description reads: "Singles Only. Applies to the verdict of Oscar Pistorius' first trial for the charge of premeditated murder. Bets void should charge be changed from 'premeditated murder' before verdict. Bets void should mistrial be declared."
The fact paddy power are taking odds on Oscar Pistorius being guilty or not is a bit off IMO #notneeded
— Aaron (@AaronDuffy05) February 25, 2014
Paddy Power are taking bets on whether Pistorius is found guilty or not guilty. That's not right. — Olly Alexander (@Olly_Alexander) February 25, 2014
I do think Paddy Power are an awful shower for betting on the Oscar Pistorius trial, however that being said, 7/4 Guilty? Surely odds on?
— Stephen Maher (@GamblerFalls) February 25, 2014
While South African law deems it legal for betting to take place on a trial, many online have questioned the morality and taste of such an offering.
In the same category Paddy Power offers bets on the 'Next Pope after Francis I' and 'When will there be a referendum to widen grounds for abortion'.
Reaction to the Pistorius market came on the day that a judge in South Africa ruled that the murder trial could be televised when it begins next Monday.
Double-amputee Pistorius, 26 is known as "Blade Runner" for the prostheses he wears in competition.
He fired four shots at Reeva Steenkamp through a bathroom door at his Pretoria home in the early hours of the morning on Valentine's Day 2014.
Oscar PistoriusPistorius has admitted shooting Steenkamp several times through a door, but claims he was acting in self-defence after becoming convinced an intruder had broken in.
In pre-trial testimony, his lawyers told a magistrates' court the shooting had been a tragic mistake and the athlete was acting in self-defence against what he thought was an intruder.
Prosecutors accused him of premeditated murder for killing Steenkamp, a noted model and budding reality TV star. Pistorius has mostly kept out of the public eye since he secured bail.
