Aussie cricket a belter for Betfair

Cricket Australia’s Big Bash League 2013-2014 season has attracted an average of $28.1 million per match in bets from Betfair customers, with around $590.6 million placed in total on the first 23 games.

The most lucrative of the season so far has been the match between Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes in which Betfair reportedly took in $ 47.6 million in bets on that game alone.

To put that into perspective Betfair customers staked around $6 million on the 2013 Melbourne Cup.

The increased interest is attributed to in-play betting on this season’s fiercely contested competition, Betfair spokesperson Daniel Bevan told the Sydney Morning Herald.

”Momentum can shift so quickly, so it’s encouraging people to stay and watch to the end. You almost have to stay and watch till the last ball each night.  ‘People can bet right up until the last ball and they do when it’s so close.”

On the question whether the large amounts bet increase the risk of corruption Bevan believes Cricket Australia is better off as their access to Betfair trade data provides them another weapon for integrity and transparency.

”Through onshore regulated operators like Betfair, those of us who play by the rules, we’re delivering a financial return to Cricket Australia.”

While in-play betting over the internet in Australia is illegal, local customers have been placing their bets through Betfair’s telephone betting service, confirmed Bevan.

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