In what South African National Lottery spokeswoman Thembi Tulwana is calling “another dream come true,” a 66-year-old man from Gauteng province has been awarded Saturday’s grand prize ZAR 10 million (about $1.38 million).

When claiming the prize, the man thought he had won a “second-division prize” in the lottery worth just under $15,000. Instead he found out he actually one the big one when rechecking the numbers. His reaction: “Unable to contain his disbelief, he broke down and cried hysterically,” according to representatives of Gidani, the Greece-based company running the lottery.

They went on to state that “He then called his wife of 43 years, whom he trusts entirely, to share the news.”

Though on the face of it, the grand prize doesn’t seem that huge, it’s quite an amazing windfall in a country where, as Wikipedia informs, “The median annual income of Black working adults aged 15-65 is ZAR 12,073 [$1,665].”

Once the man composed himself a bit, he told lottery officials that this prize meant financial independence, plus the opportunity to buy property for himself and his family’s caretaker, and possibly travel. “We will now be able to do things sooner rather than having to wait until we can afford to buy what we like,” he said.

The South African National Lottery started in 2000 and is today overwhelmingly the most popular form of gambling in the country: A study by the National Centre for the Study of Gambling in 2006 showed that 82% of citizens played the lottery and 53% did no other form of gambling.

In what South African National Lottery spokeswoman Thembi Tulwana is calling “another dream come true,” a 66-year-old man from Gauteng province has been awarded Saturday’s grand prize ZAR 10 million (about $1.38 million).

When claiming the prize, the man thought he had won a “second-division prize” in the lottery worth just under $15,000. Instead he found out he actually one the big one when rechecking the numbers. His reaction: “Unable to contain his disbelief, he broke down and cried hysterically,” according to representatives of Gidani, the Greece-based company running the lottery.

They went on to state that “He then called his wife of 43 years, whom he trusts entirely, to share the news.”

Though on the face of it, the grand prize doesn’t seem that huge, it’s quite an amazing windfall in a country where, as Wikipedia informs, “The median annual income of Black working adults aged 15-65 is ZAR 12,073 [$1,665].”

Once the man composed himself a bit, he told lottery officials that this prize meant financial independence, plus the opportunity to buy property for himself and his family’s caretaker, and possibly travel. “We will now be able to do things sooner rather than having to wait until we can afford to buy what we like,” he said.

The South African National Lottery started in 2000 and is today overwhelmingly the most popular form of gambling in the country: A study by the National Centre for the Study of Gambling in 2006 showed that 82% of citizens played the lottery and 53% did no other form of gambling.

With just a couple of weeks remaining until World Cup 2010 kicks off in South Africa, law enforcement agencies all over the world are getting ready for a potentially unprecedented amount of illegal gambling. Recently, police chiefs and other lawmen have been announcing their plans for cracking down on such activities in their home countries.

People’s Daily: HK police to intensify crackdown on illegal football betting, drink driving during World Cup

Tsang Tak-sing, Hong Kong’s secretary for the Home Affairs Bureau, stated this week that Hong Kong police would be intensifying law enforcement against both illegal betting and drink driving while the World Cup is being played. The Organized Crime and Triad Bureau is coordinating the efforts of the various regional agencies involved in the operation.

Hong Kong police have reportedly also been watching Internet gambling activity and are employing “cyber patrols” in an effort to fight illegal football betting online. Law enforcement actions may even take place outside of Hong Kong, should sufficient evidence be gathered linking such non-domestic websites to appealing to Hong Kong citizens.

Tsang also reported that Hong Kong police had arrested seven people in four different raids, with illegal gambling activities involved worth over HK$550,000 (approximately $70,500) in the first three months of this year.

Jakarta Post: Police on lookout for gambling ahead of Cup

Jakarta police authorities have announced their intensification of Internet surveillance in order to stop alleged online gambling, going so far as to monitor Facebook and other social networking sites.

Explained Jakarta police spokesman Sr. Commander Boy Rafli Amar, “We will find out whether virtual poker games played on social networking sites … involve gambling.”

In early May, two websites – IBCbet.com and Casino.SBObet.com – were shut down and their owner arrested on charges of illegally providing casino games and sports betting within Indonesia. The sites were thought to be making some $55,500 per day before the police action.

Bernama: Police To Combat Illegal Betting During World Cup

In Malaysia, local law enforcement agency CID has formed a distinct unit to deal specifically with illegal betting on the World Cup outcome and individual game results. Having just recently legalized gambling in the country, Malaysian police will now be concentrating on the unlicensed operators.

CID Chief Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin stated that even though the Malaysian government had issued gaming licenses to allow legal wagering during the 2010 World Cup, illegal betting syndicates will certainly take the opportunity to rake in profits illegally. “Anyone found betting or accepting such bets will be charged,” said Bakri, “and that also includes online betting.”

Bakri also stated that his taskforce would be looking for various forms of betting, as syndicates would devise many forms of betting in order to attract gamblers. He added that CID officers have already accumulated a list of suspects and probable operating locations in Malaysia.

With just a couple of weeks remaining until World Cup 2010 kicks off in South Africa, law enforcement agencies all over the world are getting ready for a potentially unprecedented amount of illegal gambling. Recently, police chiefs and other lawmen have been announcing their plans for cracking down on such activities in their home countries.

People’s Daily: HK police to intensify crackdown on illegal football betting, drink driving during World Cup

Tsang Tak-sing, Hong Kong’s secretary for the Home Affairs Bureau, stated this week that Hong Kong police would be intensifying law enforcement against both illegal betting and drink driving while the World Cup is being played. The Organized Crime and Triad Bureau is coordinating the efforts of the various regional agencies involved in the operation.

Hong Kong police have reportedly also been watching Internet gambling activity and are employing “cyber patrols” in an effort to fight illegal football betting online. Law enforcement actions may even take place outside of Hong Kong, should sufficient evidence be gathered linking such non-domestic websites to appealing to Hong Kong citizens.

Tsang also reported that Hong Kong police had arrested seven people in four different raids, with illegal gambling activities involved worth over HK$550,000 (approximately $70,500) in the first three months of this year.

Jakarta Post: Police on lookout for gambling ahead of Cup

Jakarta police authorities have announced their intensification of Internet surveillance in order to stop alleged online gambling, going so far as to monitor Facebook and other social networking sites.

Explained Jakarta police spokesman Sr. Commander Boy Rafli Amar, “We will find out whether virtual poker games played on social networking sites … involve gambling.”

In early May, two websites – IBCbet.com and Casino.SBObet.com – were shut down and their owner arrested on charges of illegally providing casino games and sports betting within Indonesia. The sites were thought to be making some $55,500 per day before the police action.

Bernama: Police To Combat Illegal Betting During World Cup

In Malaysia, local law enforcement agency CID has formed a distinct unit to deal specifically with illegal betting on the World Cup outcome and individual game results. Having just recently legalized gambling in the country, Malaysian police will now be concentrating on the unlicensed operators.

CID Chief Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin stated that even though the Malaysian government had issued gaming licenses to allow legal wagering during the 2010 World Cup, illegal betting syndicates will certainly take the opportunity to rake in profits illegally. “Anyone found betting or accepting such bets will be charged,” said Bakri, “and that also includes online betting.”

Bakri also stated that his taskforce would be looking for various forms of betting, as syndicates would devise many forms of betting in order to attract gamblers. He added that CID officers have already accumulated a list of suspects and probable operating locations in Malaysia.

1. Lionel Messi

Team: Argentina

Age: 22

Position: Striker

Current club: Barcelona

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Team: Portugal

Age: 25

Position: Winger

Current club: Real Madrid

3. Wayne Rooney

Team: England

Age: 24

Position: Striker

Current club: Manchester

4. Kaka

Team: Brazil

Age: 28

Position: Midfielder

Current club: Real Madrid

5. Xavi

Team: Spain

Age: 30

Position: Midfielder

Current club: Barcelona

6. Didier Drogba

Team: Ivory Coast

Age: 32

Position: Striker

Current club: Chelsea

7. Andres Iniesta

Team: Spain

Age: 25

Position: Winger

Current club: Barcelona

8. Fernando Torres

Team: Spain

Age: 26

Position: Striker

Current club: Liverpool

9. Steven Gerrard

Team: England

Age: 29

Position: Midfielder

Current club: Liverpool

10. Michael Essien

Team: Ghana

Age: 27

Position: Midfielder

Current club: Chelsea

See FIFA World Cup betting odds and 2010 football FIFA World Cup Betting Odds

1. Lionel Messi

Team: Argentina

Age: 22

Position: Striker

Current club: Barcelona

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Team: Portugal

Age: 25

Position: Winger

Current club: Real Madrid

3. Wayne Rooney

Team: England

Age: 24

Position: Striker

Current club: Manchester

4. Kaka

Team: Brazil

Age: 28

Position: Midfielder

Current club: Real Madrid

5. Xavi

Team: Spain

Age: 30

Position: Midfielder

Current club: Barcelona

6. Didier Drogba

Team: Ivory Coast

Age: 32

Position: Striker

Current club: Chelsea

7. Andres Iniesta

Team: Spain

Age: 25

Position: Winger

Current club: Barcelona

8. Fernando Torres

Team: Spain

Age: 26

Position: Striker

Current club: Liverpool

9. Steven Gerrard

Team: England

Age: 29

Position: Midfielder

Current club: Liverpool

10. Michael Essien

Team: Ghana

Age: 27

Position: Midfielder

Current club: Chelsea

See FIFA World Cup betting odds and 2010 football FIFA World Cup Betting Odds

Despite the relatively lenient laws regarding gambling in South Africa, there’s still a whole lot of activity going on in the nations black market. A surprising arrest was made this week of a family of four, including the grandmother at 65 years of age.

Sowetan: Granny bust for drugs and racketeering

A family of 4, including a 65- year-old grandmother, was arrested for racketeering, illegal gambling and drug dealing. Police pounced on the elderly woman, her 48-year-old son and his wife of 46 and their 26-year-old son at their Eldorado Park home in the morning yesterday.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations’s spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko, said: “The SAPS’s West Rand organised crime unit, in conjunction with the crime intelligence, West Rand dog unit and the rapid response (unit), supported by the South African Revenue Service and the Asset Forfeiture Unit arrested the four for racketeering and dealing in drugs.”

The arrests were made after two warrants – one for search and seizure and another for arrest – were obtained from the Protea magistrate’s court .

Though all of the arrested were unemployed, the family members had thousands of rands in their bank accounts. “A further allegation is that they are operating an illegal gambling business in their Eldorado Park home,” said Ramaloko.

Ramaloko said all their assets would be attached soon.

The family members were detained at the Krugersdorp police station and were expected to appear in the Protea magistrate’s court tomorrow.

The Citizen: Family of four arrested for gambling business

According to the authorities, an elderly woman, her two sons and daughter-in-law were arrested on Wednesday for running an illegal gambling business and drug dealing in their Johannesburg home.

The family of four was allegedly part of a syndicate dealing in drugs in the Eldorado Park and Westbury areas, Captain Paul Ramaloko said. They were arrested at their home in Eldorado Park at 10am in a joint operation by police, the South African Revenue Service and the Asset Forfeiture Unit.

The elderly woman, 65, her two sons, 48 and 26 and her daughter-in-law 46 would face charges of drug dealing and racketeering in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The Times Live: Granny and kids on drugs charges

An Eldorado Park granny and three members of her family were arrested for drug dealing yesterday.

The South African Revenue Service and the police’s asset forfeiture unit investigated the family when they discovered large amounts of money in their bank accounts. This was suspicious because the woman, 65, her son, her daughter-in-law and her 26-year-old grandson, are all unemployed.

Hawks spokesman Capt Paul Ramaloko said the family might also have been “operating an illegal gambling business” from their home.

Despite the relatively lenient laws regarding gambling in South Africa, there’s still a whole lot of activity going on in the nations black market. A surprising arrest was made this week of a family of four, including the grandmother at 65 years of age.

Sowetan: Granny bust for drugs and racketeering

A family of 4, including a 65- year-old grandmother, was arrested for racketeering, illegal gambling and drug dealing. Police pounced on the elderly woman, her 48-year-old son and his wife of 46 and their 26-year-old son at their Eldorado Park home in the morning yesterday.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations’s spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko, said: “The SAPS’s West Rand organised crime unit, in conjunction with the crime intelligence, West Rand dog unit and the rapid response (unit), supported by the South African Revenue Service and the Asset Forfeiture Unit arrested the four for racketeering and dealing in drugs.”

The arrests were made after two warrants – one for search and seizure and another for arrest – were obtained from the Protea magistrate’s court .

Though all of the arrested were unemployed, the family members had thousands of rands in their bank accounts. “A further allegation is that they are operating an illegal gambling business in their Eldorado Park home,” said Ramaloko.

Ramaloko said all their assets would be attached soon.

The family members were detained at the Krugersdorp police station and were expected to appear in the Protea magistrate’s court tomorrow.

The Citizen: Family of four arrested for gambling business

According to the authorities, an elderly woman, her two sons and daughter-in-law were arrested on Wednesday for running an illegal gambling business and drug dealing in their Johannesburg home.

The family of four was allegedly part of a syndicate dealing in drugs in the Eldorado Park and Westbury areas, Captain Paul Ramaloko said. They were arrested at their home in Eldorado Park at 10am in a joint operation by police, the South African Revenue Service and the Asset Forfeiture Unit.

The elderly woman, 65, her two sons, 48 and 26 and her daughter-in-law 46 would face charges of drug dealing and racketeering in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The Times Live: Granny and kids on drugs charges

An Eldorado Park granny and three members of her family were arrested for drug dealing yesterday.

The South African Revenue Service and the police’s asset forfeiture unit investigated the family when they discovered large amounts of money in their bank accounts. This was suspicious because the woman, 65, her son, her daughter-in-law and her 26-year-old grandson, are all unemployed.

Hawks spokesman Capt Paul Ramaloko said the family might also have been “operating an illegal gambling business” from their home.

The World Cup is one of the fiercest, most competitive, and passionately awaited competitions in the world of sports. This is partially due to the fact that, like the Olympic Games, the World Cup is only held once every four years.

The first World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay. Since then it has run every four years excluding the years 1942 and 1946 during which war was raging in Europe and FIFA’s operation had ceased. Qualifications for the World Cup are held during the three years between the competitions to determine who will be playing at the main event.

The qualifications for the 2010 World Cup involved 204 out of the 208 FIFA national teams. This being the case, it matched the 2008 Summer Olympics as the sports event with the most competing nations.

There are always a total of 32 teams that participate in the last leg of this amazing tournament. In preparation for the 2010 World Cup, 204 qualifiers were held. The reigning champions are Italy, but this is always a difficult title to defend. In the history of the World Cup, the most successful team is Brazil. Brazil has been deemed the champion team a total of 5 times but they only won 2 times in a row on 1 occasion (They won the title in both 1958 and 1962).

The 2010 World Cup will be held in sunny South Africa. This will be the 19^th World Cup and is scheduled to be held from June 11^th until July 11^th. This will be the first occasion in which the competition has been held in an African nation. The draw for the finals will be held on December 4^th in Cape Town.

As the FIFA World Cup is one of the most anticipated sports events of recent times, it is heavily televised. Over the month long event in 2006, a jaw-dropping 3,353,655 tickets were sold and an average of 52,401 viewers attended each match. A total of 69,000 fans watching the final in Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Aside from the almost 70 viewers at the stadium 715.1 million viewers watched the finale from home.

A lot of revenue revolves around this event, not just in the host nation but all over the world. Many people not only enjoy watching the sport, but participate in sportsbetting in online gambling sites, and make a lot of money based on game results. Gambling does not pertain only to the final event. Many people bet on all the matches and qualifiers leading up to the World Cup on gambling sites.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be hosted in South Africa with thousands and possibly millions of fans both watching and betting on the finals results.

Click here for the FIFA World Cup odds

The World Cup is one of the fiercest, most competitive, and passionately awaited competitions in the world of sports. This is partially due to the fact that, like the Olympic Games, the World Cup is only held once every four years.

The first World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay. Since then it has run every four years excluding the years 1942 and 1946 during which war was raging in Europe and FIFA’s operation had ceased. Qualifications for the World Cup are held during the three years between the competitions to determine who will be playing at the main event.

The qualifications for the 2010 World Cup involved 204 out of the 208 FIFA national teams. This being the case, it matched the 2008 Summer Olympics as the sports event with the most competing nations.

There are always a total of 32 teams that participate in the last leg of this amazing tournament. In preparation for the 2010 World Cup, 204 qualifiers were held. The reigning champions are Italy, but this is always a difficult title to defend. In the history of the World Cup, the most successful team is Brazil. Brazil has been deemed the champion team a total of 5 times but they only won 2 times in a row on 1 occasion (They won the title in both 1958 and 1962).

The 2010 World Cup will be held in sunny South Africa. This will be the 19^th World Cup and is scheduled to be held from June 11^th until July 11^th. This will be the first occasion in which the competition has been held in an African nation. The draw for the finals will be held on December 4^th in Cape Town.

As the FIFA World Cup is one of the most anticipated sports events of recent times, it is heavily televised. Over the month long event in 2006, a jaw-dropping 3,353,655 tickets were sold and an average of 52,401 viewers attended each match. A total of 69,000 fans watching the final in Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Aside from the almost 70 viewers at the stadium 715.1 million viewers watched the finale from home.

A lot of revenue revolves around this event, not just in the host nation but all over the world. Many people not only enjoy watching the sport, but participate in sportsbetting in online gambling sites, and make a lot of money based on game results. Gambling does not pertain only to the final event. Many people bet on all the matches and qualifiers leading up to the World Cup on gambling sites.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be hosted in South Africa with thousands and possibly millions of fans both watching and betting on the finals results.

Click here for the FIFA World Cup odds