Should there be betting on the FNB varsity cup?

Posted on March 15th, 2010 by rivalblogger

Earlier today I received an e-mail from Brent Graham who runs the Good For The Game and SportsPicks.co.za websites.

The mail was giving some tips on betting on the FNB Varsity Cup fixtures.

Now those who know me will know I am no shrinking violet when it comes to betting. I will take a plug on what colour tie somebody is wearing or whether Gill Marcus is going to be wearing a red tent or a brown tent when she delivers her MPC decision for the Reserve Bank.

I don’t know why, but betting on the Varsity Cup doesn’t sit well with me. There is something pure (untainted?) about this form of rugby that doesn’t need the influence of sports betting attached to it.

Of course the alternative argument there is that college American football and college basketball are big money in the US. This drives interest, sponsorship and TV revenue over there. This in turn has led to really well developed systems over there which means you have really cracking quality athletes moving into the professional ranks.

Dunno? Thoughts on whether betting on the Varsity Cup should be promoted?

2 Comments »
Filed under: Uncategorized



2 Responses to “Should there be betting on the FNB varsity cup?”

  1.    Brent Graham Said:
    March 15th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
       

    Interesting angle and I can see where you are coming from. I would have the same thoughts around school sport but I reckon that students are old enough to drink heavily and do whatever else goes along with that so I guess they should have the freedom to punt their team if they wish.

    On a personal note I have been watching the varsity cup because of the betting angle (otherwise it is just 30 unknowns playing rugby) but I am sure that both your camp and mine would get some support.

    I like your alternative arguement and if I were a bookmaker I would be going all out to access the student market. My reasoning is that trying to convince a 50 year old rugby fan who has never bet to have a punt is really tough but a 20 year old still has an open mind and gambling and betting has been legal for most of their lives – a much better chance of conversion to sports betting.

    It will be interesting to see if anyone else has views on this?

  2.    marcashton Said:
    March 15th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
       

    Brent has added a link to this debate on the Good For The Game forum as well – http://www.goodforthegame.co.za/component/option,com_agora/Itemid,96/id,522/task,topic/#p4683

Leave a Reply

« »