Local punters expected to rain in bets for Origin

LOCAL punters are expected to rain in bets on tonight’s State of Origin opener, with the New South Wales Blues slight favourites at K1.85 over hosts Queensland Maroons at K1.95.
While not quite at Melbourne Cup levels, Pacific Racing and Sports Centre manager Peter McCoy said yesterday that he expected a surge in Origin bets particularly after the success of the bookmakers sports betting which includes major competitions such as the NRL, AFL and Super Rugby competitions and even the current cricket World Cup.
McCoy said betting on the Blues and Maroons was about even with punters basing their bets on loyalty as much as the odds offered.
He said options like head-head, handicap, winning margin, first scoring play, half time-full time double, half time margin (difference) and winning margins as well options were on offer.
“This will be a close one as the odds show,” McCoy said.
“There isn’t much separating the sides as far as Origin sides go.
“So we will see if it’s the Blues or Maroons winning after 80 minutes.
“Who knows, we might even go into extra time.”
McCoy said that Origin games were one of the biggest drawing sporting events in PNG and with bookmakers no offering odds on the annual series he expected fans, punters and casuals to come through the doors this morning looking to place bets on their favourite teams.