Shock as betting firm offers odds on Pistorius trial: ‘Oscar time- money back if he walks’

Betting company Paddy Power have caused outrage by promoting odds on the verdict of Oscar Pistorius’ murder trial, even promoting the bets to coincide with the Academy Awards dubbing it ‘Oscar time.’

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by Fiona Day |
Published on

The advert features an Oscar statuette with a drawing of Oscar Pistorius’ face on it.

The athlete is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day 2013.

The world’s media has ascended on the town of Pretoria, South Africa.

Paddy Power have sparked outrage with the advert
Paddy Power have sparked outrage with the advert

The Paralympic athlete claims he mistook his girlfriend for an intruder and acted in self-defence.

The British betting company unashamedly took to Twitter to promote the trial and to let customers know that they could place bets on the outcome, offering odds of 7/4 for a guilty verdict and 2/5 for a not-guilty verdict.

The company has also offered customers money back on their bets if the 27-year-old athlete goes free.

Pistorius is on trial for shooting girlfriend Reeva last year

The firm tweeted: ‘Global media attention, bar-stool conversation and pillow talk will shift from the Oscars on Sunday night to Oscar on Monday when the Blade Runner straps on his prosthetic limbs for the long walk to the high court.’

The trial is being shown on television and will be watched by millions of people around the world.

Anti-domestic violence charities have criticised the promotion of bets on the trial, branding it ‘insensitive’ and are calling on people to log complaints with the Advertising Standards Agency.

An online petition has also been drawn up demanded for the advert to be pulled.

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