Betting shops-British gambling locations where bookmakers log cash stakes-all over the United Kingdom have seen a surge in activity as the Royal baby's due date approaches.
Some have called the high number of bets placed almost "unprecedented," the Telegraph reported on Thursday. People usually place bets during a Royal occasion-but not like this.
Online betting service William Hill has taken in 60,000 euros (more than $77,000) worth of bets on the name, and is anticipating even more customers to come forth clutching the green as mid-July's due date comes up.
According to a spokesperson for William Hill, Alexandra is the favorite by far, followed by Charlotte, Diana, Elizabeth and Victoria for the top five. Some other, more rare names have been bet on, including three on Waynetta and two on Mohammed, the Telegraph reported.
The spokesperson also said their associates in a betting shop in west London took a stake from a customer who put down a hundred euros on Mary, with odds at 14/1.
"The mystery punter came into one of our shops...in full Ascot fig with a top hat and tails," they said. "100 euros is a huge bet for this market, where the average bet is just three euros, so we are a little nervous that a member of the party at Royal Ascot has let the possible name slip."
According to rival site Paddy Power, there has been a large call for "novelty bets."
"Baby betting is booming with turnover expected to nudge 300,000 euros over the next week-a big increase on the royal wedding," a spokesperson from the company said. "The betting suggests we're in line for a Princess with a 60/40 split in favor of a girl, Alexandra-the Queen's middle name-remains the hot favorite in the baby name game."
Alexandra currently has 7/2 odds, with second place, Charlotte at 11/2.
