Unlicensed Sportsbooks in Malaysia Target Students for World Cup Betting

The 2010 World Cup has caused a huge surge in sports betting around the world. In places like Malaysia, where sports betting is technically not allowed, bookies have been working hard to stay one step ahead. One move being taken by online sportsbooks in Malaysia is to recruit students, and get them to solicit bets from their classmates. The move is proving to be very effective from the point of view of the bookies, but is understandably causing many to become concerned.

Bookies recruit student runners who then approach their schoolmates and encourage them to bet on World Cup football matches and other popular sporting events. The runners collect bets and pass them on to the bookies, taking a cut of 1-3% for their work. Usually bets are made in person, but some syndicates also have the runners direct bettors to online sportsbooks to place their wagers. Since the start of the World Cup, some of these student runners are taking in as much as RM 1,000 (about $300) every day.