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World Cup fever in in full swing, and while the Aussie's (Socceroos) don't stand a chance in hell of getting to the finals, the fans remain some of the most passionate, with betting exchanges showing fans money going where their mouth is. Media Man and Gambling911 blow the whistle on the situation...
Betting and sports experts in the know advise Australians betting on the World Cup will reach roughly $300 million.
Betfair, Centrebet and Tabcorp are understood to be getting the lions share of bets on the cup by Aussies, while BetUS, Gamebookers and BetEzy get scraps in comparison.
Tabcorp MD Craig Nugent shares his thoughts on this year's World Cup.
For the uninitiated Tabcorp is Australia's biggest gambling company. The betting outfit and casino owner - operator expects to handle about 50% of the bets made during the World Cup, but other insiders say Tabcorp may be bluffing, and the real figure is closer to 30%.
Numerous Aussie pubs, clubs and TAB's are unsurprisingly extending trading hours to satisfy demand to watch the footy games that run between 9.30 p.m. and 4.30 a.m down under in Aussie Land.
Aussies gamble about $17 billion each year, which works out $1,123 per capita, according to the Queensland government's Office of Economic and Statistical Research.
World Cup betting is cutting into the prior dominance of sports betting on the NRL and AFL.
Tabcorp is understood to have commenced an application for Apple iPhones aka smartphone to place bets. Gambling911 has previously warned punters to be careful placing bets on smartphones as on occasion data charges are known to go through the roof, with one MP's son raking up a $10,000 bill!
Tabcorp shares rose 1.5% to $6.65 at the close of trading. The stock has fallen 4.3% this year compared with a 7.5% drop in the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index.
The firm owns 4 casinos, Star City being the most famous, and operates roughly 2,500 betting shops down under. A Tab leak reckons they will look after 4 million bets on the 64 World Cup, and that will come in from approximately 400,000 happy punters.
The Australian Socceroos will play their first game of the tournament on June 13, Sydney time, against the Germans.
If the Socceroos get to the 2nd round and face England, betting history will be made says most experts.
The Late News...
Soccer Nutter Lives In Soccer Ball Bubble Outside Crown Casino
Australia's Adam Santarossa aka "Man In The Ball" living and breathing World Cup Soccer fever, living in a giant ball outside crown for the next month.
The punter one a comp via the Aussie edition of soccer mag Four Four Two.
He's won a $10,000 prize, including $3000 cold hard cash.
Santarossa only gets to leave the ball for an hour a day to have a shower and have a piss and a #2, and is fully expected to post daily blogs and video diaries to the 'manintheball' Facebook page. If he doesn't, serious questions will be raised on the up and coming sports journo. Sant mate, we trust this report will give you more fodder to blog you soccer nut. Next thing you will want to be a special blogger for Virgin Games 'Big Brother' or PartyGaming's Safari Soccer game or something. Ok mate, that's your 5 minutes of fame for the moment.
More Late News!...
Supermodel Super Freak Naomi Campbell Crown Casino Lift Saga Court Told...
Campbell went rabid when she was forced to share a lift with members of the public in Australia. Oh you poor thing... I think I've got an *itch.
The 1999 tit tat outburst came to light again during court in the United States this past week.
The Camp One then went up to her room and wouldn't come back down for a fashion show.
After being told of Campbell's no-show the 600 audience ended up booing her. That's tit for tat. Hope that *itch doesn't come back.
Punters, stay tuned to Gambling911 for more World Cup reports, and by the way, kudos to SBS TV for outstanding coverage of the World Cup broadcast down under to Australia.
Bet with your head, not over it, and have fun.
*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911
*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming including sports betting is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover.
