Punters make a killing from World cup betting

TO most Zimbabweans, the World Cup which is under way in Russia is not only about the game of football but how much money one can make or is making a day.

A survey by B-Metro revealed that many punters of various ages are now spending most of their time gathering around screens in betting houses, cyber cafAï¿½s, sports bars and video halls watching the World Cup.

Because of the World Cup and popularity of football, soccer betting and not dog or horse-racing has indeed taken the city by storm.

Globally, bookmakers have been busy calculating the odds even before the global showpiece began. And according to Goal.com, Brazil remain the favourites with dabblebet rating them at 4:1 to lift the trophy on July 15.Aï¿½ Germany, who have had a shaky start, have seen their odds lengthen to 17:2, Spain 17:4, France 7:1, Argentina 11:1 and Portugal 14:1 with the likes ofAï¿½ Belgium considered some of the dark horses in the tournament.Aï¿½ Millions will be lost and won.Aï¿½ Interestingly some of that money will be won and lost in Zimbabwe as punters sip their drinks, sternly glare at screens and ponder on probabilities.

Most of the fanatics that spoke to B-Metro said at the moment they do not miss a day of betting. While they were not comfortable to share figures of their losses and wins, they admitted that even those who were not football fans were betting.

A punter, Mlungisi Sibanda, said the World Cup was not only about the game of football but how much money he makes a day.

aï¿½?With the World Cup currently underway for many people soccer betting is now part of their daily routines to try their luck with a few bets.

aï¿½?Itaï¿½ï¿½s not only about the game of football but how much money one can make a day. There is also now a new crop of full-time betting individuals that throng the houses daily with some of them making a killing. Others win and some miss the predictions. For example, currently because of the World Cup I get about $60 a day after I spend about $10 on betting,aï¿½? said Sibanda.

A pharmacist, Bongani Moyo, said he was not really a football fan but was introduced to betting by one of his friends whom he realised was making money from betting on the teams at the ongoing World Cup.

aï¿½?I am a professional pharmacist and I was not even interested in betting but was introduced over the weekend by one of my friends after I realised that he was making some good money.

aï¿½?I am afraid that even after the World Cup I will not do without betting after realising that I can make extra-cash out of work,aï¿½? said Moyo.
According to a journalist, Sindiso Dube, betting was spoiling the good game.

aï¿½?Everyone is now betting. I think betting is spoiling the good game. It has become more of a business to some people.

aï¿½?Itaï¿½ï¿½s no longer interesting to watch football in sports bars because people easily become emotional when the teams they would have bet on are losing,aï¿½? said Dube.

An official with a local betting house who spoke on condition of anonymity for professional reasons said they were impressed by the number of punters flocking to their betting house.

aï¿½?We are recording more business now because of the World Cup. But it is not always the case that we are making money.Aï¿½ Itaï¿½ï¿½s a win-lose situation because a punter can correctly predict and win about $5 000 while you wouldAï¿½ have receipted about $3 000 on that very day,aï¿½? the official said.