A Record Breaking Summer of Betting at Betfair

It’s been a busy summer of sport and Betfair are reaping the rewards. The UK based online gambling company has announced that it's been a record breaking summer of betting on women's sports thanks to the Women’s European Championship and Cricket World Cup. Betfair have also disclosed that this month’s super fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor is set to smash British betting records.

A Summer of Women’s Sport

Women’s football has grown to become hugely popular in the UK following the Lionesses heroics at the World Cup in Canada in 2015 when they narrowly lost Japan in the semi-finals and finished 3rd overall. It should come as no surprise that this renewed interest in women’s football has trickled down to the gambling industry. Even though England were again knocked out at the semi-finals stage at this years’ European Championship the tournament saw punters backing women’s sport in record numbers.

England’s quarter final match against France saw £3.5m traded on Betfair, with over £30m being traded on the platform throughout the tournament. Over 50,000 customers at Betfair placed a bet women’s football during the competition with a total of £6m placed on just England games. If the Lionesses had reached the final Betfair had expected to break the previous trading record of £4m set on women’s football at the 2015 World Cup. Unfortunately for England and Betfair, they lost 3-0 to host nation, the Netherlands, at FC Twente’s Der Grolsch Veste Stadium on August 3rd.

Despite England’s late stage exit, it has already been a record breaking summer for betting on women’s sport at Betfair thanks to the women’s Cricket World Cup. £40m was traded on the final where England defeated India. A spokesperson for Betfair, Katie Baylis, summed up the successful summer for Betfair: “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”.

Mayweather vs McGregor

Mayweather vs McGregor has already become one of the most lucrative sporting events in history and no matter what happens in Las Vegas on August 26th it’s sure to be something special. Ahead of the showdown Betfair is reporting that betting on its site has already reached a massive £7.5m. According to Betfair, interest in the fight between the undefeated Mayweather and UFC Lightweight Champion McGregor shows no signs of slowing down. The fight is almost certain to surpass the previous British betting record set in 2015 by the Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao fight.

When the two fighters enter the ring later this month it will not only be the most wagered on boxing match of all time but also one of the richest. Although official figures haven’t been released both fighters are set to earn north of £100m each for their night's work. Mayweather is the odds-on favourite to win but McGregor’s unpredictable nature in the ring has made the Irish man a popular choice with gutsy punters.