SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Tonight’s semi-final clash between tournament favourites England and host nation Holland marks the continuation of a record breaking summer of betting on women’s sport.
England earned their spot in the semi-final with a hard fought victory over France last Sunday, in a game that traded £2.5m on Betfair. So far, Betfair has traded over £30m on the tournament from over 50,000 customers, with a total of £6m just on England games.
If the Lionesses can continue their heroic run with victory at FC Twente’s Der Grolsch Veste stadium this evening, Betfair expect the final to break the previous trading record of £4m on women’s football, set at the 2015 World Cup.
Nonetheless, Mark Sampson’s side remain unlikely to break the trading record of over £40m on a women’s sporting event, set last weekend at the cricket World Cup final when England defeated India.
Katie Baylis, Spokesperson for Betfair, told SBC: “It really has been a huge summer for women’s sport with the Cricket World Cup, Euros and the upcoming Rugby World Cup, and we have certainly seen unprecedented interest when it comes to betting on these events.
“The Cricket World Cup final, which saw England beat India, had record crowds and viewing figures and was also a betting record for us on a women’s sporting event, with over £40m bet on the Betfair Exchange.
“If they can make the final, we predict that game will become the biggest women’s football match in Betfair history in terms of volume, beating the £4m bet on the 2015 World Cup.”
