Olympics fever to trigger 50 million pounds betting

London, July 23 (ANI): Olympics fever has triggered a 50 million pounds betting bonanza with many Britons keen to back Team Great Britain medal hopefuls including distance runner Mo Farah and heptathlete Jessica Ennis.

Bookmaker Coral found that half of those placing bets on London 2012, a whopping three million people, were entirely new to gambling.

Ennis is 8-11 to top the podium, while Farah is 6-4 to bag a gold medal, The Daily Star reports.

Other British stars being backed at the bookies include 400m hurdler Dai Greene, 26, who is 11-4 to take the top prize.

David Stevens of Coral said: "Turnover across the industry could top 50m pounds, with one in eight of those we questioned saying they would be enjoying a flutter on the Games.

"British sport is on a high, with Andy Murray reaching the Wimbledon final and Bradley Wiggins becoming the first British winner of the Tour de France."

London Mayor Boris Johnson said that it was time Britain swung behind the Games and moved on from bad publicity over security and transport blunders. (ANI)