English FA Cup Final Attracts Flurry of Bets

UK punters have been quite busy during the final weekend of the football season in England as the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester United was at the centre of their attention.

The Premier League campaign had finished a week earlier, with Leicester City producing one of the biggest upsets in the history of sports to claim the coveted trophy, while the FA Cup final served as a traditional curtain-closer in England.

It was Manchester United that lifted the trophy as they recorded a 2-1 triumph over extra time, and the game was one of the most heavily bet events this season.

UK Bookmakers See Great Numbers

According to payment processing company Worldpay, UK bookmakers saw a 40 percent increase in online transactions in the build up to the highly anticipated event.

Some two hours ahead of kick-off, Worldpay were processing 30% more wagers than they do on an average weekend, while there was also a 20 percent increase in live bets, with 50 wagers processed per single second shortly after the match began.

After Juan Manuel Mata had canceled Jason Puncheon’s opener and the match went to extra time, there was another rise in betting activity as punters saw the opportunity to place few more bets.

Those backing Manchester United to lift the trophy, or to win in extra time, had a field day as Jesse Lingard scored the winner with ten minutes to go.

And while the betting activity was at a premium before and during the FA Cup final, average bet value was down 5 percent as high rollers apparently steered clear of the Crystal Palace vs Man Utd game.

Worldpay did not disclose whether the bookies were able to make a profit on the big game, but with 1-1 draw in regular time, chances are they collected a nice payout, despite the fact that favourites Manchester United eventually went on to win the game.

The UK bookies have this year seen great numbers on the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National, but chances are that the upcoming Euro 2016 finals will break all records.