City-based bookies are expecting to make huge profits in the upcoming Football World Cup and have estimated business to reach Rs 400 to 500 crores. According to the bookies, the reason for the business is the match timings, which will be conducive for Indian viewers.
“We shall be accepting bets on the first half, second half and draws. The World Cup held in South Africa will be televised live at 5 am and 7.30 pm in India, which are after office timings. We are sure that it will attract a lot of Indian viewers,” said a city-based bookie.
Punters, however aren’t too keen on betting on the Asian Cup cricket tournament in Sri Lanka that will begin in the end of June.
According to a bookie, the bets would have ideally been divided between the football matches and the Asia Cup, which is to be held in Sri Lanka. But the punters do not want to risk their money during the rainy season.
“Unexpected showers may disrupt the matches and the Duckworth–Lewis system may be applied in some cricket matches, making the outcome totally uncertain. Hence, the punters have chosen to put their money on Fifa instead,” he said.
The accounts will be settled a day after every match, like it is done in cricket, bookies said. “We will not take fancy bookings like who will score the highest number of goals or how many goals will be made by each team. These concepts are only popular among international bookies,” another bookie said.
Meanwhile, the bookies have made the Spanish team their favourite, while the Portugal team is the weakest contender for winning the cup.
The rates for Spain and Portugal are Rs 4.20 paise and Rs 33 respectively. This means that a punter will get Rs 4.20 in return for every rupee placed on Spain taking the cup and Rs 33 in case Portugal wins the Cup.