Gamblers place bets on early arrival of royal baby

Prince William and Kate's first child is officially due in mid-July with the couple saying they have no idea of the sex of the baby who will be third in line to the British throne.

But bookmaker Paddy Power on Wednesday cut the odds on the baby arriving in the first week of July to 4-1 fromu00a08-1 after a surge of money from gamblers who believe the couple could be taking a lead from Princess Diana.

In 1982 Princess Diana fooled the public by saying William was due on July 1 and he was actually born 10 days earlier.u00a0Bookmaker William Hill said its latest betting activity suggested the baby would be born on July 17 and female.

All the bookmakers reported an increase in betting activity on the royal birth as the date approaches. William Hill said turnover has trebled in the last week with over £ 50,000 wagered.

Paddy Power expected royal betting turnover to top £300,000 in coming weeks, a 30 per cent increase on the royal wedding in April 2011. u00a0