World Cup bonanza - you can bet on it

The world's biggest sporting occasion is also a betting bonanza, and New Zealanders are keen to leap aboard the four-yearly World Cup bandwagon.

The 2002 Cup in Korea/Japan had a huge spin-off for the game here with New Zealand Soccer gathering a handsome return from their share of the total amount wagered on the Cup and a share of the profits once the book had been settled.

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter is already expecting a return of "around three-quarters of a million dollars" from the Cup which kicks off in Germany early tomorrow morning.

Of the total income from sports betting through the New Zealand TAB in 2002, soccer had the greatest share at 29.4 per cent and led, in no small way, to New Zealand Soccer's $778,000 income from "other revenue" in that year's balance sheet.

There is every suggestion the return will be at about the same level this time although kick-off times are not as "bettor friendly".

The return four years ago was also bolstered by the successful run by hosts South Korea who attracted some big bets from the Korean community here.

The TAB are gearing for another four-yearly boost in interest with hours to suit offering betting on the internet or through Sky Bet up to and beyond 20 hours a day.

They have opened books across the board from the outright winner to the number of goals to be scored.

As ever, there is good money to be won with soccer matches more attractive in offering three viable options - win, loss and draw - on each game, unlike rugby and league, in which the draw is a real longshot.

The tournament opener between Germany and Costa Rica suggests a one-sided affair. Germany are at $1.20 to win, Costa Rica at $13 with the draw an attractive $5.25 with the TAB.

The book for the group winner has Germany at $1.33 and Coast Rica the longshots at $25.

The TAB are offering $3 for more than 170 goals to be scored but $3.80 for between 151-170 and $3.25 for 150 or fewer.

There is betting on which of the eight groups will produce the most goals with group F (including Brazil and Australia) the most favoured at $3.85 and group C (Argentina, the Netherlands, Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro) the longshots at $13.

The most favoured final, at $10 would have Brazil playing England with an all-South American battle between Brazil and Argentina at $11- the same as a Brazil/Germany finale.

Should Croatia and the Ukraine square-off in the showpiece clash, the TAB are offering a cool $1000. Germany meeting England in Berlin on July 10 is quoted at $20.

The winning continent hot pick is Europe ($1.42) ahead of the Americas ($2.55) and Oceania (with Australia the sole hope) at $125 - slightly longer than Asia at $100.

Brazilians fill three of the top spots in the coveted Golden Boot race with Ronaldo ($10) ahead of Adriano ($13) and Fifa Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho ($14). Other short-priced contenders include Thierry Henry ($14), Ruud van Nistelrooy ($14) and Michael Owen ($16).

For those looking for something longer, there are Wayne Rooney ($30) and Michael Ballack ($40), if he recovers from injury. Maybe even Peter Crouch ($50), Steve Gerrard ($40), David Beckham ($100) or new boy Theo Walcott ($150) appeal for a lazy $5 wager.

TAB ODDS WORLD CUP WINNER
(with the odds offered by Australia's Centrebet in brackets)

$3.75: Brazil ($3)
$7.50: England ($9)
$8: Germany ($8.50)
$8: Argentina ($10)
$18: Portugal ($26)
$80: USA ($101)
$125: Australia ($81)
$1500: Trinidad and Tobago ($1001)

GROUP WINNERS

A: Germany $1.33 (longest odds Costa Rica $25)
B: England $1.60 (Trinidad and Tobago $40)
C: Argentina $2 (Ivory Coast $11)
D: Portugal $1.65 (Iran $17)
E: Italy $1.80 (Ghana $14)
F: Brazil $1.25 (Japan $18)
G: France $1.35 (Togo $16)
H: Spain $1.60 (Saudi Arabia $28)

WINNING CONTINENT

$1.42: Europe
$2.55: Americas
$50: Africa
$100: Asia
$125: Oceania