Bookies Granted Temporary Licenses for World Cup

December 16 - World Cup fever is already been felt around the globe, although nothing like in South Africa where the six month countdown has already begun.

It has been noted that soccer fans are flooding to their favourite bookmakers in a bid to get in on the action and back their teams.

Bookmakers have been given a boost by the South African government with the news that they have been granted temporary licenses to provide sports betting services at all 10 World Cup soccer stadiums next year.

Local and international bookmakers would receive these licenses, said the National Gambling Board.

Betting sites have reported a huge rise in World Cup betting activity.

The major online sports betting operator, Betfair, for example, reported that R16 million has already been wagered on the World Cup at its site alone.

Market analysts predict that billions of rands will eventually be wagered through soccer bets.

The question of who to back is one that consumes many faithful South Africans.

While patriotic instinct pushes player to wager on Bafana Bafana, the need to be realistic about the national team's chances of reaching the finals of the World Cup is usually the deciding factor.

As such, bookmakers have made Spain their favourites to win the tournament at 4/1, followed by Brazil (5/1), England (11/2) and Argentina (8/1).

South Africa is currently ranked 100/1.

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