Oddball bets hit jackpot
GERMANY’S 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in the World Cup semifinal this week was described as “crazier than a bag of raccoons” by reeling bookmakers after some British punters lined their pockets for betting on the freak result.
The betting shops will now be hoping they can avoid a similar hammering from punters betting on today’s final.
The odds appear to favour Germany to lift the trophy tonight. Ladbrokes had Germany as 7-10 favourites ahead of Argentina’s 23-20.
But after Tuesday’s bizarre drubbing of Brazil, anything seems possible.
Of the UK’s largest betting chains, Paddy Power and William Hill priced the astonishing World Cup semifinal result at 500/1, while Ladbrokes had it at 1 000/1.
One punter bet £5 on that result, and ended up walking away £2 500 richer .
“If you think it was a tough night for [Brazil striker] Fred, you haven’t seen the state of Paddy’s book,” spokesman Josh Powell said in a blog.
“There were some stupid-looking punts that look like a stroke of genius now,” he said.
Music student Paul Wheatley placed £0.80 on the half-time score of 5-0 to Germany, and ended up scoring £240.
“There was no logic behind my selection,” he said.
“I just like to place small wagers at long odds in the hope that I will win big.”
William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: “All in all, it was a pretty bad night for us.”
But the amount of money being wagered on the World Cup has clearly rankled with some.
In Singapore, an anti-gambling advert which featured a man putting his son’s life savings on Germany winning the World Cup was widely panned by Singaporeans after it was shown during Brazil’s crushing defeat.
The advert by Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling featured a group of boys excitedly discussing who will triumph in the World Cup.
At the end, one of them said with a frown: “I hope Germany wins. My dad bet all my savings on them.”
The screen then faded out to a message cautioning about the social fallout of gambling.
The advert first aired at half time, when Germany were already 5-0 ahead, prompting much mirth and ridicule online, including from two government officials. — AFP