Mumbai, Aug 21: After the failed ongoing performance of the Team India in the India-England test series, Anna Hazare has become a hot favorite among bookies.

According to reports, bookies started betting on on how long the Gandhian Crusader will continue his fast after he was arrested on Aug 16. Reports suggest that those who bet on Anna's fast for 15 days would gain 70 paise for every rupee, while Rs 1.50 would be gained for every rupee if he continued the fast for 9 days and Rs 3 would be earned for those staking for his fast to continue for 6 days.

Bookies have also said that bets worth Rs 50 crore have already been put and the value of the bet is expected to go as high as Rs 200 crore if Anna's fast moves on.

"The nation's talking point has always been a major source of income for the Indian bookie. So, how can Anna's protest, which has shaken the entire nation and received global attention, be left untouched, especially when we got no returns from India's England tour," said a bookie hailing from North Mumbai.

"Current betting rates are 70 paise for a 15-day fast by Anna Hazare, Rs 3 for a six-day fast and Rs 1.50 for a 9-day fast. The betting may go up to Rs 200 crore," he added.

Bookies also confessed that Jaipur and Delhi were two main hubs for betting.

"With the nationwide publicity and the kind of support Anna has gathered, there is a strong possibility that the protest will continue for another 15 days. This is our way of showing solidarity with Anna and his cause," said another bookie.

OneIndia News