The English Premier League blasted back last weekend and data from Worldpay revealed a mammoth 20 per cent rise in the number of bets placed compared to last year.
Following Leicester’s fairy-tale league win last season, bookies actually saw an eight per cent drop in average bet values compared to 2015’s opening weekend. Recreational customers who traditionally deposit lower amounts were drawn in by the prospect of predicting underdog success. Punters were staking on average £3.55 less per bet than this time in 2015, revealing the extent to which Leicester’s title win has inspired footie fans to try their luck on even the most unlikely teams. Karl MacGregor, vice president gambling, global e-commerce at Worldpay, said: “Following the woes of England’s early Euros exit this summer, Britain’s bookmakers were primed to capitalise on one of the biggest days in football.
"Favourable odds and high reward bets were on offer for fans up and down the country and with an average £38.65 deposited per transaction, fervent fans rushed out to try their chances.”
