Punters are getting their betting fix in new ways now that major sports are off the table
Hardcore punters aren’t letting the temporary shutdown of footy, some racing and the Olympics stop them from having a flutter, as novelty markets open up for those seeking some betting buzz.
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Melbourne’s weather is always a hot topic of conversation and now we can bet on it.
Like so many other businesses, the local betting industry has been turned on its head by COVID-19 and bookies have had to innovate.
Tabcorp’s senior manager media communications and PR Shaun Anderson said those obsessed with Melbourne’s weather could now take on the Bureau of Meteorology and beat the climate boffins each day.
“We have also this week opened markets on the weather – punters can bet whether the temperature in each major city will go above or below a certain temperature,” Mr Anderson said.
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The weather isn’t the only novelty market hard core punters are turning their attention to as the list of major sporting leagues, both at home and abroad, that have been forced into indefinite shutdown or postponement grows.
What’s left is a bizarre mix of eclectic sports and locations including football from Belarus, Nepal and Nicaragua, FIBA 3x3 Liga pro basketball and ice hockey from Russia, table tennis from Ukraine and e-sports tournaments that cater perfectly to “social distancing”.
But Mr Anderson said making an informed decision “on the outcome of a top-of-the-table soccer match in Kathmandu” is beyond even the most dedicated local sports data analyst and entertainment markets would provide more lucrative opportunities to exploit.
“In terms of novelties and entertainment markets, these markets have already proven to be popular over the last few years,” Mr Anderson said.
He said punters would find markets either open or coming soon for the MAFS Finale (you can bet on which couples remain together), Dancing With The Stars, Australian Survivor All-Stars, MasterChef and Big Brother.
“In terms of the popularity of these markets, in 2018 we held over $1.5 million on Survivor.
Last year we held over $1 million on MasterChef.” Mr Anderson said.
“We also have a number of political markets open, including the US Election. This week we opened a number of award markets including Nobel Peace Prize and Time Person of the Year.”
Not surprisingly the odds on favourite for the peace prize is the individual or company that comes up with a successful vaccine for COVID-19.
At this stage, Saturday’s Stakes Day card at Rosehill Gardens is tentatively listed to go ahead without spectators after NSW and Victorian meetings were yesterday put on hold for 48 hours after COVID-19 scares in both states.
The dishlickers (greyhounds) have so far survived the global sporting cull with greyhound meetings scheduled across all states in coming days.
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