Bookies set to lose out on football bets
Only 5.4 per cent of World Cup gamblers are planning to fully settle their gambling debts, according to a poll by Abac.
The survey questioned 1,463 respondents aged over 13 in greater Bangkok. "From the percentage in the survey, we have estimated the number of football gamblers has jumped to more than 1,000,000 with Bt3.2 billion being placed in bets," said the centre's director Noppadon Kannika. The number of football gamblers was earlier estimated at around 850,000 around the capital with around Bt2.1 billion being spent on bets. Noppadon yesterday said up to 14.8 per cent of the football gamblers planned not to pay their gambling debt at all while 58.3 per cent said they would pay in instalments for no more than half their debt. "About 21.5 per cent of respondents have intended to pay in instalments for more than half of their gambling debts but not make a full payment," he said. Noppadon said an estimated Bt1.3 billion would flow to bookmakers from bets of Bt3.2 billion. The broadcast of football matches and the analysis of teams' chances also encouraged gambling, Noppadon said. Pollsters also asked respondents about their lottery ticket-buying habits. About 67.4 per cent said they bought lottery tickets from the government or underground operators.
|
