UK bookmaker takes a record number of bets on whether Christmas day would feature any of the white stuff and wins.
Wednesday 31st December 2008
In the UK, bookmaker William Hill revealed that it took a record number of bets on whether there would be snow for Christmas Day following heavy snowfall earlier in the month.
According to a report in The Telegraph newspaper, the London-based firm behind online sportsbook WilliamHill.com stated that it was relieved that Christmas Day had dawned dry although it was cloudy and cold.
'Much like the abominable snowman, Britain's favourite festive flutter is in danger of becoming extinct as snowfall becomes increasingly rare in December,” said Rupert Adams, Spokesperson for William Hill.
“But we are not sorry to see no snow as it would have cost us a monster million pound-plus payout.'
To qualify as a ‘white Christmas’ William Hill stated that one flake of snow must fall in one of 14 different areas designated in the bet. For example, a bet on snow in London would only pay out if one flake falls on Buckingham Palace.
The newspaper reported that the Met Office has predicted that the weather in the UK will get colder over the next few days as clouds lift and there will be overnight frosts across the country. Temperatures will be around 39 degrees Fahrenheit although it should be slightly warmer in cities.
In the UK, bookmaker William Hill revealed that it took a record number of bets on whether there would be snow for Christmas Day following heavy snowfall earlier in the month.
According to a report in The Telegraph newspaper, the London-based firm behind online sportsbook WilliamHill.com stated that it was relieved that Christmas Day had dawned dry although it was cloudy and cold.
'Much like the abominable snowman, Britain's favourite festive flutter is in danger of becoming extinct as snowfall becomes increasingly rare in December,” said Rupert Adams, Spokesperson for William Hill.
“But we are not sorry to see no snow as it would have cost us a monster million pound-plus payout.'
To qualify as a ‘white Christmas’ William Hill stated that one flake of snow must fall in one of 14 different areas designated in the bet. For example, a bet on snow in London would only pay out if one flake falls on Buckingham Palace.
The newspaper reported that the Met Office has predicted that the weather in the UK will get colder over the next few days as clouds lift and there will be overnight frosts across the country. Temperatures will be around 39 degrees Fahrenheit although it should be slightly warmer in cities.