Matthew -- if this is going to ruin you financially...I don't want to take your money...if not, I'll buy Bitcoin Magazine with the winnings.
1) I love Bitcoin Magazine. I don't even care that my 1st issue took a month - it was amazing - loved the Satoshi origins article.
2) I do not know Matthew very well but it seems like this 1 will hurt no matter what business he is in - I do not feel great about getting what I consider a free 100 BTC from a guy who seems to be generally working for good, but is just dead wrong here.
3) Matt without knowing you very well but hoping to get to know you I advise you stop accepting new bets for a few reasons. First off, they are all going to cost you money and I just watched some youtube video of the bitcoin show and the host had a mighty somber face when that first bitcoin e-wallet rolled everyone for the coins. I don't want the future issues of Bitcoin magazine taking that same sad tone. A second reason you should close betting is because as a function of time your side gets worse and a potential bettor's side keeps getting better. Clearly you won't accept bets 2.7 weeks in with no payment? that would just be giving ppl BTC. Cut of off now IMO, stop the bleeding.
When a guy owes a milly on a monday and all he has to say is this:
[2012-08-20 18:07:26] <pirateat40> Today is the start of a busy week guys, i'd love to answer all the 200 pm's but can't. I'm around and you'll know when things start to move.
[2012-08-20 18:07:30] <pirateat40> pirate out
I'm pretty sure it's time to cut off bets and minimize the loss. I'm sure one of the Bitcoin Magazine guys are going to PM you after this. Listen to them IMO.
Maybe he knows something you dont ........
