How betting is a winner irrespective of whoever lifts the 2018 World Cup

The UK's online gambling market is the biggest in Europe, with gross revenues of $5.7 billion, according to consultancy GBGC

The longer England captain Harry Kane and his team stay in the World Cup, the bigger the boost to the UK economy. But if there's one industry that stands to win whatever happens, it's betting. 

Brits are set to wager an estimated 2.5 billion pounds ($3.31 billion) on the World Cup, according to data published by the London Times, or a 50-per cent increase on the previous tournament. That number is almost exactly the sum fans are estimated to spend on food, drink, merchandise, pubs, clubs and cafes combined — if England were to win.

The boom should give pause