Pope Blessing May Help Argentina World Cup Chances

For anyone outside of Argentina or Italy, a friendly meeting between those two footballing giants this month was nothing more than another international football match. For one fan, though, it was something a bit more special, and this is a fan you won’t find betting on Argentinean sports.

Yes, that’s write, Pope Francis met the Argentinean football team, and while he may not be able to have idols, this came pretty close for him. The Pope seemed to have a profound effect on some of the players, but what kind of effect could he possibly have on Argentinean internet betting?

Well, perhaps God’s influence will have an effect, but it is on the pitch where the real magic will happen for Argentina. With the World Cup in neighbors Brazil approaching rapidly, Argentinians, including the Pope, will be praying that Lionel Messi stays injury free to spearhead their attack at the world’s biggest sporting event.

With betting expected to potentially eclipse previous World Cups – thanks in part to the spread of online and mobile betting – Argentineans will have a harder time than most punting for their team. With complicated Argentinean gambling laws meaning individuals cannot use foreign sportsbooks and casinos, they need to turn to the highly regulated local market.

It’s a better situation than some of their neighbors, but with online sportsbooks really taking off the world over – and mobile gambling hot on their heels – Argentina needs to catch up with the rest of the world if it is to take advantage of the taxation opportunities available.

An Argentinean football victory in Brazil would provide a timely boost to sporting and, potentially, economic prosperity in the country, but perhaps it is Pope Francis’ aim of a return to family values that should be focused on.