The rise coming from the Olympics being hosted could be 5% of the next three years. The reason for the increase rise is given by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sports Industry Research Centre (SIRC) as the “Olympics effect” and is alongside a number of other sectors that will see an increase. This includes sports clothing, a rise in boating activities and modest increases in local sports participation.
The Independent article sought advice from Matt Bullas from betting comparison website Chips.co.uk, who commented: “The 2010 World Cup brought in £1 billion in bets in the UK alone. It isn’t too far-fetched to think that the Olympics could have a similar effect in 2012.”
Bullas’ statement is optimistic to say the least. A World Cup is a very different beast compared to an Olympic game. Every game at the World Cup sees unprecedented numbers wagering on games whilst there will be sports in the summer games that will see no wagering whatsoever. The Olympics does have one advantage – it won’t be up against the European Championship but if everyone’s spent their money earlier in the summer these predictions could be a little hasty.