Soccer: 1 million punters lay out $21.6 million

New Zealanders wagered more than $21 million on the soccer World Cup, more than $6 million up on TAB forecasts.

Figures released yesterday show bets totalling $21.6 million were placed on the 60 matches - slightly down on the $22.1 million New Zealanders put through the TAB four years ago.

The TAB, mindful that the 2002 figures were boosted by the long run enjoyed by co-hosts Korea and that television viewing times were more favourable then, had estimated a $15 million turnover for this year's tournament in Germany.

The TAB accepted a total of 1,036,204 individual bets. The biggest payout was for a $40,000 multi (at $4.35) on a win for Italy over Australia and a draw between Switzerland and Ukraine for a return of $174,000.

One lucky punter had placed $3000 on Italy to win the Cup at $11.

New Zealand Soccer will again reap a healthy return as a percentage of both the money bet on the Cup and the profits from it are returned to the national body. That return four years ago was around $750,000.