Brits to Bet a Bundle on the Euros

No England. No Scotland. No Ireland, Northern Ireland or Wales. With Euro 2008 lacking any participation from the home nations (the first time since France 84), one might think that this could be a down year for Britain’s lucrative football betting business, as people hold on to their their bills until the Premiership starts back up. There won’t be the compulsion for patriotic England fans to put a tenner down on the Three Lions, or the equally strong need for Scots and Irishmen to lay one wager for their side, and one against the English. But according to betting house Ladbrokes, the good people of the UK and Ireland have no intention of letting a little thing like disqualification get in the way of a good gambling habit.

Ladbrokes estimates that UK and Ireland citizens will wager £350 million during the tournament, a new record for a European championship. That’s more than a five pound note for every man, woman and child on the Isles. And considering that there are quite a few women and children, and to a lesser extent men, who will not be wagering a thing, some people are going to be dropping serious money on this thing.

Cue shameless segue plug. If you want to take a chance on winning some Euro-related prizes without putting down any of your hard-earned pounds, euros, dollars, pesos or whatever else, check out our Euro predictor bracket. It’s a great way to back up your hunch, without spending a thing.