£500 million could be wagered during seven-day stretch

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Two World Cup games for England and five days of punting at Royal Ascot Casino could see the U.K. wager half a billion pounds in the next seven days alone.

Leading online bookmaker Betway and the whole of the betting industry is in for an ultra-busy week, with the Three Lions’ opening game against Tunisia on Monday getting the ball rolling before Flat racing’s biggest betting event runs from Tuesday to Saturday, finishing with England’s second World Cup test against Panama.

Betway predict £30-40 million will be wagered per day at Royal Ascot, nudging total bets placed towards £200 million, while England’s participation on Monday and Sunday bookends a betting bonanza that could see total stakes rise to £500m.

Betway’s Alan Alger said, “Every four years, the collision between Royal Ascot and the World Cup results in one of the biggest betting weeks of the year but this year is extra special.

“With England games both kicking off and closing a week that has Royal Ascot sandwiched in between, we could be set to see around half a billion pounds bet in just seven days.”