May 29, 2002

12:18 PM

World-wide obsession I am told these sports betting sites are readying themselves for an onslaught of World Cup Soccer traffic never seen in history. Will you play? Does it make the sport uplifting or uncouth?
posted by Voyageman (11 comments total)

Other information of note includes a AP story concerning gambling on the World Cup in countries that outlaw gambling and a Reuters story on the expected wave of gambling in Asia.
posted by iceberg273 at 12:44 PM on May 29, 2002

Uplifting if you win your bet, uncouth (due to the drop in the standard of language) if you lose. More tense in any case. Of course, betting is haram and evil - always remember that there are more losers than winners, and the winners are the bookies.
posted by Mossy at 12:46 PM on May 29, 2002

I never understood the draw to sports before I began betting on them. I never bet too much, but it makes races and games much more fun if you put your money where your mouth is.
posted by goneill at 12:54 PM on May 29, 2002

I like gambling, but I have no desire to bet on the Cup. Betting on soccer just never really occurred to me, and betting online holds zero appeal.

If I happened to be in Vegas, I might drop a fifty on England over Argentina (after a few Greyhounds).
posted by Kafkaesque at 2:23 PM on May 29, 2002

I couldn't pick a winner in a one-man race, so no I won't be betting.

I think it takes a lot of the fun out of sports, when you have money riding on it. That is one reason I avoid betting on anything. If I need to risk money to make it fun, I'll find something else to do.
posted by Dark Messiah at 2:43 PM on May 29, 2002

Last season, my team, West Bromwich Albion, were locked in a promotion battle with their local rivals, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Being the pessimist that I am, I put £50 on Wolves to finish second behind Manchester City. I've never been more happy to lose a bet...

I know Americans are told endlessly how the World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, yet I still get the impression that many Americans don't fully appreciate just how big it is. I don' t understand what the problem is with sports betting - how are you likely to corrupt the likes of Totti, or even (the referee) Collina?

In light of the draw, I may well put an each way bet on Italy. I hold no hope whatsoever for Engand to do well.
posted by salmacis at 4:32 PM on May 29, 2002

Americans don't understand nor appreciate the fanbase and the obsession with the World Cup. Soccer is not the American sport of choice. Betting and online gambling is fascinating if you have the money to do so and if you understand you are more likely to lose than win. I will head to the local pub and watch and bet amongst friends there and have a blast win or lose....

Online betting is not my thing. But hey, to each his or her own. I vote uncouth as it is simply another way in which people no longer watch and have fun betting amongst friends or with bookies at the events and are stuck online and in their easy chairs.
posted by gloege at 7:32 PM on May 29, 2002

Americans don't understand nor appreciate the fanbase and the obsession with the World Cup.

gloege, that's most Americans, if you please.
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:38 PM on May 29, 2002

If I happened to be in Vegas, I might drop a fifty on England over Argentina (after a few Greyhounds).

Are you referring to the canines or the alcoholic beverage? Because either you gotta be drunk or getting great odds to be betting against Argentina in that game (as much as I'll be rooting for England).
posted by sauril at 11:00 PM on May 29, 2002

Does it make the sport uplifting or uncouth?

The World Cup is uplifting. And separating.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 11:36 PM on May 29, 2002

Are you referring to the canines or the alcoholic beverage?

Grapefruit and Ketel my friend. That's my breakfast of choice when in Vegas.
posted by Kafkaesque at 8:28 AM on May 30, 2002