Every year Europe’s leading bookmakers invite people to place bets on the Eurovision Song Contest, this year is no different. In recent years the odds have been very reliable. In 2013 the hot favourite was Denmark at around 6/4. In 2012 Sweden’s odds were not much different. In 2014 the bookies favourite for the last few weeks has been Armenia, the odds are slightly less favourable for Armenia than previous years, with some bookmakers offering 2/1. The odds are not always a good representation of the final results, such as 2011, France were the hot favourite, although they ended in 15th place in the final.
Since the rehearsals began in Copenhagen the odds have altered, notable changes are Malta having their odds shortened who were 80/1 now at 50/1, Israel were 50/1 and currently 25/1. Whilst some bookmakers have increased the odds for Armenia and Sweden.
Above odds are ranging from a number of leading bookies. (Example of what odds mean; 10/1 mean if you put £/$/€1 you will receive 10 back plus your original bet, so you will receive back £/$/€11)
Odds from one of the leading bookmakers William Hill (01/05/2014):
Armenia: 7/4
Sweden: 11/4
Denmark: 10/1
Norway: 14/1
Ukraine: 14/1
United Kingdom: 14/1
Hungary: 16/1
Azerbaijan: 20/1
Austria: 25/1
Israel: 25/1
Romania: 25/1
Spain: 33/1
Belgium: 40/1
Russia: 40/1
Malta: 50/1
Greece: 66/1
Ireland: 66/1
Italy: 66/1
Switzerland: 66/1
Estonia: 80/1
Finland: 100/1
Germany: 100/1
Montenegro: 100/1
Poland: 100/1
Albania: 150/1
Belarus: 150/1
Macedonia: 150/1
France: 150/1
Georgia: 150/1
Iceland: 150/1
Latvia: 150/1
Lithuania: 150/1
Moldova: 150/1
Netherlands: 150/1
Portugal: 150/1
San Marino: 150/1
Slovenia: 150/1
(Odds vary between bookmakers)
Notable changes over since the Eurovision season began: Romania were favourites at one point at 3/1, Norway were also at 3/1 at one point, and Belgium were in the top 3 favourites after the National Final.