Malaysia's PM Criticises Sukam For Gambling

Saturday's Vodafone Derby Day heralds the start of of the biggest betting month ever as bookies William Hill predict over £1 billion is to be gambled on a whole host of sporting events in the month of June 2006, breaking all previous records.

Over £150 million industry wide is expected to be gambled this Saturday with the Vodafone Derby at Epsom, the England friendly against Jamaica and the William Hill Greyhound Derby Final all taking place alongside the usual mix of racing and sporting events. Derby day is traditionally one of the biggest betting days of the year and with an England game added on it will be a massive day for the bookies to kick start all the action in June.

And from next week onwards, the action just gets better and better for punters in June with all the group stages of the World Cup plus the last sixteen playoffs, Royal Ascot, the first week of Wimbledon, the US Open and the British Grand Prix - plus other events such as the England vs Sri Lanka cricket series, the Stella Artois Tennis Championships and Big Brother. With a predicted total of over £1 billion to be bet on these events, William Hill reckon the bookies will be taking over £1.3million per hour in June.

William Hill spokeswoman Jennie Prest said, "This June holds host to some of the biggest and best sporting events in the calendar and punters will be rubbing their hands in glee. So many events guarantee bumper turnover for the bookies and we are fully expecting £1billion to be gambled this month alone."