The absence of the home nations has done little to deter British sports fans from betting on Euro 2008, one leading bookmaker has said.
Punters have staked record amounts on the Grand National and Cheltenham Festival this year and Ladbrokes is expecting the trend to continue for the biggest football event of 2008.
It has predicted that £350 million will be staked on the tournament and that the betting industry in the UK and Ireland will generate 40 per cent more revenue from the event than it did from Euro 2004.
Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg explained that the wide knowledge of foreign football among UK fans meant that plenty of money is being placed on Euro 2008.
"British punters, they see all these Premier League footballers, so there's a great awareness of European football and European teams now," he said.
Coverage of German, Italian and Spanish football by UK television channels has also helped to make people more aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the players in Euro 2008, Mr Weinberg added.
The absence of the home nations has done little to deter British sports fans from betting on Euro 2008, one leading bookmaker has said.