The reports said British punters were expected to bet around 1bn, breaking all records, with the growth of online gambling seeing many more people becoming punters. ?And British gamblers were breaking with tradition to back other teams and not just England their usual favourite. A spokesperson for bookmakers Paddy Power, Darren Haines, told journalists that gamblers were placing bets on a whole variety of teams, matches and outcomes
“It’s huge, really surging this week and soccer fans are going into a World Cup frenzy, said Haines. ? We anticipate more than 1bn being gambled industry-wide, and the further England go in the tournament, it’s more likely that this figure will be comfortably surpassed. It will be the biggest betting event in British history, without a doubt.”? Another betting shop chain, William Hill, also predicted a US$1 billion World Cup turnover for the industry in the UK thanks to online gambling.
A William Hill official said: “This is the World Cup in which internet betting has really come into its own.” The official added that online betting could work to the advantage of bookmakers because of the very wide variety of punters with different views on possible outcomes that are able to place bets online.
He said: “We have online clients in 188 countries who are betting on the World Cup, which dilutes the impact of everyone betting on England. If England reach the final and lose on penalties to New Zealand, that would be perfect for us.”?? Other factors for the predicted record betting beside the growth of online gambling include the scheduling of matches, which will see games televised from South Africa at evening peak times.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News