Lahoris placed millions of rupees on bet on the birth of Aishwarya Rai’s baby that is expected to be delivered any moment now, well placed sources told Pakistan Today on Friday.
Sources said initially betting was on its full boom across the world especially in India and Dubai but on Thursday bookies from Lahore also opened betting. The rate was set at Rs 8,500 against Rs 1,000 if Aishwarya gives birth to a girl and Rs 1,200 against Rs 1,000 if she gives birth to a boy. Sources said bookies had also announced rate of new Bachan’s birth on 11/11/11, adding that the rate was higher as betting closed on Friday evening.
Another bookie on condition of anonymity said the focus had shifted from the gender of the baby to the date of its birth. He said maximum money was placed on the auspicious 11.11.11 (November 11, 2011) making it the hot favourite amongst bookies. He said many bets had been placed on any date between November 9 and 14. The second most speculated date is November 14, which is Children’s Day.
A bookmaker who runs a book in Mozang Area, on condition of anonymity told Pakistan Today that only a few minutes after the rate was announced, he received dozens of calls from Aishwarya’s fans who placed millions in bets on the new baby.
“I placed my bet of Rs 5,000 as soon as I heard of the betting,” said Ayub, adding that Aishwarya was his favourite and he knew her child would be ‘a leader’. Bookies confirmed that most bets had been placed on the birth of a female child.
