by Anton Johan
With the World Cup finally over, life is officially returning to its previous boring rhythm.
Most online bookies were thrilled with scope of betting that took place during the football tournament. Despite previously doom like predictions that the World Cup would be ridden with crime and chaos, everyone is admitting that the tournament went very smoothly.
One online bookie, Paddy Power however, was not too thrilled with the way the tournament ended with a 0-0 draw in the final match of the World Cup.
Paddy Power had promised to refund a wide range of losing bets on the Final if it ended up being a 0-0 draw.
When the whistle was blown on the 93rd minute, indicating extra time, Paddy Power was forced to pay out the equivalent of €500,000 in returned bets.
Along with other bookies, Paddy Power is now looking ahead to the next World Cup in 2014 and so far it seems that Brazil is set to be the favourite to win in four years time.
The home advantage is being given to the Samba Kings, a much more generous notion that was not granted Bafana Bafana on their local South African soil.
Some of the odds for the 2014 World Cup for outright bets are:
Brazil 3/1
Argentina 11/2
Holland 12/1
England 14/1
France 20/1
Chile 40/1
Mexico 50/1
Turkey 50/1
USA 66/1
Australia 100/1
Ireland 125/1
South Africa 250/1
Northern Island 500/1
