| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | Gambling on Winter Olympics Reaches High
- Monday, 20 Feb 2006
Following the success of this year’s Super Bowl, gambling fans are placing record bets on the results of the Winter Olympics. According to bookmakers Ladbrokes, increased television coverage and the acceptance of online gambling in the UK could see as much as 10 million pounds wagered on Olympic events. The figure predicted by the gambling firm is more than ten times the figure gambled at the previous Winter Olympics four years ago.
Among the gambling fans placing record bets at sports betting sites are the Scandinavians. Sports betting has recently enjoyed a huge surge in popularity in Scandinavia following news that online gambling in general could soon be welcomed by the Swedish government. A report recommending the licensing of all online gambling firms operating in Sweden is currently under consideration by Swedish authorities.
The opening ceremony of the Turin Winter Olympics will be watched by over 2 billion people. Events continue until February 26, many of which will be wagered on substantially by gambling fans. A spokesperson from Ladbrokes’ Norwegian branch has been quoted as saying “from the biathlon to the bobsleigh, it's going to be massive.'' Ladbrokes has a vested interest in helping to ensure the Winter Olympics find strong support with gambling fans. The sports betting site is keen to emulate the success of its Super Bowl wagering and has hired additional staff in anticipation of the extra work.
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