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British Open Odds: Legal Gambling On Open Brings In Heavy Business

July 19, 2007


The room would barely pass for a closet, but it is a popular gathering place nonetheless. You have to be looking for it to find it, or know that it's there in the first place. And that's not a problem for the locals who are inclined to place the, uh, occasional wager.

Despite a constant rain and cool temperatures, Morrisons was doing a brisk business Wednesday afternoon. The Open Championship all but guarantees it this week.

Betting is legal in Britain and the "punters'' love to put a few pounds on the biggest golf tournament. Not that they really need golf to get them digging into their pockets.

"You wouldn't believe what kind of betting goes on,'' said Lisa Johnston, the manager at Morrisons. "They'll bet on anything that moves.''
Soccer and cricket, of course, are popular, as is horse and dog racing. A more recent betting phenomenon is the "Big Brother" reality show. "We give odds on who will win, who will be the first person evicted,'' Johnston said.

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