Right royalbetting spree

PUNTERS are having fun by chancing their arm on the upcoming royal wedding.

News of the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton has sparked a rush of interest in having a flutter on details of the big day.

Some are going beyond that to gamble on the gender of the couple’s first baby.

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And even the question of whether or not President Obama will be at the ceremony is creating interest.

All this, say bookies, is bringing more and more people into betting shops.

Earlier this week, betting on the date and venue of the wedding was halted shortly before April 29 2011 and Westminster Abbey was announed as the time and place of the big day.

But business has been brisk on other aspects of the occasion.

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Totesport in Cleckheaton was offering odds of 1-20 on Prince Harry being best man and 7-1 on anyone else. The chances of the wedding not going ahead at all in 2011 showed odds of 33-1.

Betting on the gender of the first baby was, this week, 10-11 either way.

Spokesman George Primarolo said: “People are having fun with this. It always surprises me how lively these markets are.

“Betting on occasions such as the wedding is becoming very popular as it tends to be what everyone is talking about.

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“It has really taken off and brought people into bookies who would not normally go in.

“They are placing bets of £5 to £10, so they are not going overboard.”

At independent Dewsbury bookies Carrigills, Bill Carrigill said a number of bets were placed on the royal wedding venue and date when the announcement was made last week.

“We have taken about £400 so far.” he said. “No-one will make a fortune but they can double their money.”

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On when the first baby will be born, Carrigills said the favourite was 2012 at 5-1; 2013 was 11-4 and 2014 3-1. On gender, it was evens at 10-11.

“Women in particular seem to be enjoying placing bets on the wedding,” said Bill.

Novelty betting includes whether President Obama will attend and that was odds on at 4-5 that he will, with evens that he won’t. “We are getting all kind of bets,” said Bill. “And it certainly makes life interesting for us.”

• Totesport is also taking bets on what will be the Christmas number one. The X Factor winner is 4-7; The Trashmen 2-1 and John Cage 12-1.