Big bets at cricket

Press, 17 October 1987, Page 13

Big bets at cricket

NZPA-Reuter Bombay Transactions on the Bombay stock exchange may fall by as much as 75 per cent during key World Cup cricket matches while millions of dollars will change hands in illegal betting, brokers say in Bombay. “The World Cup has provoked a lot of interest among those who are not content to be mere spectators of distant events and they are having more than a flutter at the bookies,” a leading broker, Abdully Mecklai, said. The illegal Bombay gambling network had spread its operation, normally centred

on horse racing and matka (betting on numbers), to Include World Cup matches, brokers said.

It is estimated up to three million rupees ($NZ3,468,935) were gambled on individual matches;in the first week of the month-long tournament, much of the business being done at private parties given by bookmakers. Odds fluctuate constantly during the 50 overs-a-side matches. New Zealand’s odds were said to have closed to evens, for example, before lengthening after they took three cheap wickets at the start of its match against

champions India on Wednesday-

The odds on the West indies beating Pakistan in yesterday’s match in Lahore were reported to be 5 to 4 after the Caribbean team’s convincing victory against Sri Lanka. ■

“The Bombay gambling system is highly organised, operates throughout India and has defied ail Government efforts to destroy it,” said one Bombay businessman.

“It will also take the World Cup in its stride.”