Big punters are big losers

Photo / Kenny Rodger

The TAB accepted a wager of $40,000 on Slovakia just minutes before Winston Reid headed in the equaliser for the All Whites on fulltime.

And another $20,000 went west when Germany lost to Serbia on Friday, as did $11,900 when Spain fell to Switzerland.

The TAB was expecting 100,000-plus punters to back England against Algeria yesterday at odds of $1.22.

The biggest single bet was $30,000, but the hot favourites could only manage a draw.

The upsets haven't stopped a flood of money being bet on the tournament.

TAB spokesman Steve Tucker said $20 million punted in New Zealand during the last tournament in Germany four years ago would be topped.

Plenty of patriots were backing the All Whites and Asian gamblers were out in force.

"There will be a significant amount of turnover from the Chinese and Asian community, particularly in Auckland," he said.

The All Whites are 1000-1 to win the tournament and were 8-1 to beat Slovakia.

The TAB would lose more than $2 million in the highly unlikely event the All Whites lift the World Cup.

The All Whites opened at $18 for their match against Italy, but that shortened to $15 yesterday. Italy opened at $1.14 but went to $1.16.