Big-time punters on bookies’ radar

MALAYSIAN bookies are luring big-time punters from mainland China with attractive packages that include adult entertainment at the end of the day after the last World Cup match is played.

According to a report in Oriental Daily News yesterday, the no-nonsense action by Beijing to crack down on football betting syndicates and illegal online betting in recent years has left Chinese punters with nowhere to place their bets.

Quick-thinking bookies in the country, who see this as a good money-making opportunity, wasted no time in coming up with packages that make these wealthy punters feel like VIPs as they bet to their heart’s content while in Malaysia.

It is learnt that these syndicates not only take care of the punters’ visa applications but also provide them with chauffeurs and social escorts to attend to their needs.

“Betting syndicates arrange for their visitors to stay in rented bungalows in Kuala Lumpur where they can wine and dine while they watch live World Cup matches and bet on the results,” the daily quoted a source as saying. The source also disclosed that when the last match for the day is played, the punters will be chauffeured to adult entertainment outlets to have fun.

For safety reasons, they will be accompanied by social escorts who will act as translators at police roadblocks or take care of them in case they get drunk.

The source said these syndicates are willing to spend to ensure the visitors feel pampered.