Bookies report record turnover on Women’s World Cup

This year’s Women’s World Cup has attracted record-breaking turnover according to leading bookmaker Coral, who estimate that over five million pounds will be bet on the tournament.

The firm has described it as by far the most popular tournament since it began in 1991, having already taken thousands of bets on markets ranging from the outright betting to first goalscorers, and a sign of women’s football gaining in stature as a betting event. The largest bet placed so far was a £1,000 online bet on the host nation Canada lifting the trophy at odds of 10-1.

Saturday night will see England play Mexico, in which they are the 1-3 favourites to see off their rivals in 90 minutes. The Three Lionesses are priced at 33-1 to win their first World Cup, but Germany are the 2-1 favourites to secure their third victory in the competition.

“This Women’s World Cup makes it clear that women’s football is increasingly making its mark, not least as a significant betting event.  There are numerous factors contributing to the major boost in turnover, including the improved quality of football being played, the terrestrial TV coverage, along with favourable evening kick-offs.  It is great to see this growing level of interest in women’s football and based on the turnover so far, Coral alone is expecting to take well over half a million pounds on the tournament by the time the final comes around,” said Coral spokesperson Nicola McGeady.

“With the interest in women’s football  growing at an extraordinary rate, we are now giving it more prominence in our shops and with games being more competitive than ever before, it makes for a really exciting betting event,” added McGeady.

**Outright

2-1 Germany, 3-1 USA, 9-2 France, 9-1 Brazil, 9-1 Japan, 10-1 Canada. 20-1 Sweden, 33-1 England, 33-1 Norway, 40-1 bar

**Match Betting

1-3 England, 7-2 Draw, 11-2 Mexico