rickfarang Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 A football betting list seized from gamblers by police during a recent raid. ? CHANAT KATANYU It may be illegal, but millions like a flutter About 3.6 million Thais are likely to bet on the World Cup soccer tournament which kicks off in Germany on Friday, an Abac opinion survey has concluded. The pollsters also predict that about 20 million Thais in the 13-60 years age group will stay glued to the television during the month-long competition. The survey had 4,685 respondents in 21 provinces nationwide and was conducted from May 22-June 3. The pollsters estimate wagers totalling 14 billion baht will be placed during the tournament. The number of people having a flutter is expected to be more than double the number who gambled on the European Championships held in Portugal in 2004, but they will gamble only half as much between them. Even so, the poll found there could be as many as 600,000 first-time gamblers. Ominously, about 54% of respondents said they were forced to sell or pawn belongings to settle previous gambling debts. And 30% admitted they have been involved in fights with bookmakers or other gamblers. -Bangkok Post onlline edition 5 June, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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