What do you do when punters are showing little interest in slapping down money on the World Cup? You bring in the big gun, Jesus.

Sportsbet.com.au are flying a one-tonne hot air balloon replica over Melbourne of host nation Brazil’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue to publicise the biggest sporting event of the year.

Betting stunt: the 46-metre balloon over Melbourne.

The 46-metre high hot air balloon has a 41m wingspan and is believed to be one of the biggest ever seen in Melbourne. It’s cloaked in a gold and green jersey with the hashtag ‘Keep The Faith’ printed on it.

Punters have reportedly shunned betting on the World Cup, given the relative youth and inexperience of the Socceroos and its tough group featuring Spain, Netherlands and Chile.