England victory at Euro 2016 would hit bookies for £50m
Bookmakers would be smashed for £50m if England romp home to victory in Euro 2016 as punters have poured into home nations ahead of the tournament.
William Hill said England was their customers' top pick for the competition, which kicks off in France this week, with 16 per cent of all bets going on them to win. Germany secured the second most bets on 14 per cent, followed by Belgium on 13 per cent, as the bookies predicted £500m would be staked on the tournament.
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Combined, bets on the three home nations competing – England, Wales and Northern Ireland – made up 22.5 per cent of all money staked on the market.
| Country | Proportion of money staked |
| England | 16 per cent |
| Germany | 14 per cent |
| Belgium | 12 per cent |
| Italy | Eight per cent |
| France | Seven per cent |
| Spain | Six per cent |
| Portugal | Five per cent |
| Wales | 4.5 per cent |
| Poland | Four per cent |
| Croatia | Three per cent |
| Northern Ireland | 2.5 per cent |
William Hill spokesperson Joe Crilly said: "As long as England are in the Euros, betting interest will be huge. In an ideal world they will make it into the semis or final and then fall at the final hurdle."