Will Sania wed Shoaib? The betting begins

Times News

Mumbai, 06 April 2010: This betting is on a different kind of match. As the controversy surrounding the forthcoming Sania Mirza-Shoaib Malik nuptials gets more and more bizarre, bookies have found a lucrative new avenue to make money.

A leading bookie told TOI that the ‘bhav’ or odds on Sania getting married to Shoaib on April 15 was 25 paise - in other words, for every rupee placed on the wedding taking place, a bettor would get Rs 1.25 paise. The ‘bhav’ on the wedding being called off is Rs 3.50. The general sentiment in bookiedom, thus, seems to be in favour of the Sania-Shoaib nikaah happening.

‘‘We are watching the twists and turns closely. The odds may change as the wedding date nears,’’ the bookie said, adding tongue in cheek, ‘‘There is no match-fixing.’’

Despite the police keeping a close vigil, the betting industry is thriving in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Indore, Delhi and other places. Many bettors have gone online.

The fact that Shoaib is a cricketer from Pakistan has whetted bettors’ interest. There are reports that bets are being laid in Pakistan as well, especially since the betting syndicates here have close links with their counterparts across the border.