Can Betfair put its Stamp on the Game as an ADW?

[rrbauer]

How does Betfair add its innovation to the game by being only an ADW company? I don't think that they can. Should they buy a tote company? How do they implement a new betting platform in the U.S.? Aren't most betting platforms controlled by racing commissions at the state level?

[Imriledup]

Hopefully someday, before i die of old age, US citizens will be able to sign up with the real betfair.

[Profiler8]

It will be very hard for betfair. Here in Germany our states controll everything too, but European rights are for the handicappers. At the moment, nearly all Europeans can bet with them, but it is not legal with German, French etc. laws. European laws allow betting with bookmakers. EU laws are higher than German or French laws.
So the countries wait for a decision from the European court and do nothing against it.

I think, betfair had nearly the same problems in Australia as in the USA. But at the end they find a solution. People, who bet on Australian racing must pay taxes.

It is a worldwide problem. Betfair should talk with the states and try to find solutions. This is a long way, but there is a chance, when betfair give an amount of money to them.

[startngate]

BetFair is one of a few companies trying to operate in the US pari-mutuel market that has capital to spend.

Makes perfect sense for them to buy a tote company. Since TVG is currently using SciGames, I suspect they are the target and would be surprised if talks weren't already on-going.

Having a tote system gives them a good strategic platform to do things like creating new bet types and improving technologies while they wait for a crack in the political armor to go after what they are really here for, the US betting exchange business.

I've always thought that pure ADW's should look at racetracks as well because 'not putting on the show' was always the track's argument against them. Not as sure it's a big issue any more but there are enough places out there that are struggling that could use their business and marketing expertise.

Personally, I'd like to see someone create a competitor to Equibase for data. Hopefully they have that on the radar screen too. Imagine the products we would have coming from a customer focused group using technology similar to Trackus to give us accurate data in formats that could be used meaningfully without spending thousands of dollars a year for the inaccurate data we currently get.

[rokitman]

Hopefully someday, before i die of old age, US citizens will be able to sign up with the real betfair.
Maybe if you live to be 200.

They have to protect us from all the terrible things that are happening where Betfair is legal and will sacrifice slots players to the godds to save our mortal souls.

[figureman]

The people at betfair need to purchase the Meadowlands and install their system at that venue. the state of n.j is in such dire straits that the politicos would probably go along with such a proposal/

[samyn on the green]

They already own TVG in North America. They have their foot in the door. It would not surprise me that they set up an exchange in the net few years in a shocking turn of events. Maybe they can partner with a new category killer (http://gregcalabrese.blogspot.com/2009/06/dear-abigal-category-killer-track.html)track, install their exchange as part of a new tote system, offer huge purses and change the landscape of racing in North America.

[NoCal Boy]

Not a chance in the foreseeable future. None. Zilch.

They already own TVG in North America. They have their foot in the door. It would not surprise me that they set up an exchange in the net few years in a shocking turn of events. Maybe they can partner with a new category killer (http://gregcalabrese.blogspot.com/2009/06/dear-abigal-category-killer-track.html)track, install their exchange as part of a new tote system, offer huge purses and change the landscape of racing in North America.

[DeanT]

The people at betfair need to purchase the Meadowlands and install their system at that venue. the state of n.j is in such dire straits that the politicos would probably go along with such a proposal/

Interesting thought!

[samyn on the green]

When something big happens that changes the paradigm it usually happens by surprise. Not a chance in the foreseeable future. None. Zilch.

[robert99]

An article that is causing a little stir on a drowsy summer Sunday.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/381075/Serial-gambler-Elliott-Short-made-pound20m-on-Betfair.html#flatstats_horseracing

Betfair are quite astute in fitting in with a new countries ethos.
"Socialised" PMU is a whole lot less appealing to customers than person to person bets at mutually agreed odds and in-running betting but it could be an initial start.
They do pay local racing for bets made on that racing from overseas.
They do provide free racing data (Timeform which they now own) and extensive articles which form a free university of betting for customers.
They do wait patiently for an opening, which in Australia's case was when Tasmania broke ranks and went out of line with the other States PMU/TABs vested interest positions. The opening does not have to be racing as they also major in a wide range of sports betting.

One thing that USA might find awkward is that exchanges are a bit like Microsoft Windows, love them or hate them, a monopoly makes sense to the customer in terms of matching whatever you want at the price you want. Any rival soon has an enormous learning curve and hardware and staffing investment to even start to catch up as a barrier to entry.

[KaiserSoze]

That article made me smile Robert,

Betfair also own (or at least partly own) Thorograph, offering sheets to betfair account holders at a discount price on UK and US racing. The liquidity on U.S racing is quite poor compared to the English and Irish meets however

[RobinFromIreland]

An article that is causing a little stir on a drowsy summer Sunday.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/381075/Serial-gambler-Elliott-Short-made-pound20m-on-Betfair.html#flatstats_horseracing
We have been contacted by several customers in relation to an article in Sunday’s News of the World. We would like to make it clear that Betfair was not asked to comment on, or validate any aspect of, the article ahead of publication.

Although we cannot comment on the activities of any specific customer, some facts which may be relevant to some of the claims made in the article include:

the biggest winner in the relevant Britain’s Got Talent market (Susan Boyle winner - Yes/No) won less than £3,000.

No Betfair customer won £1.5 million or anything even vaguely approaching that amount betting on the Champion Hurdle.

No Betfair customer won £500,000 or anything even vaguely approaching that amount laying Monsieur Chevalier at Royal Ascot

The figures shown in the account statement screenshot in the News Of the World do not reconcile to any Betfair account.

The monies present in a Betfair account are obviously no indicator of the sums won or lost on the account.

We would encourage customers to be wary of the claims of anyone purporting to have a profitable system or strategy.

We would encourage customers to retain a healthy degree of scepticism toward any claims made in the press which are not validated by Betfair.
I'm glad Betfair did this, as this fantasy may have encouraged some to take risks in the hope of replicating this illusion. The article has been removed from the NOTW website.

[robert99]

I'm glad Betfair did this, as this fantasy may have encouraged some to take risks in the hope of replicating this illusion. The article has been removed from the NOTW website.

Even though Betfair have published this, the weird psychology of some is that they are now convinced it is Betfair who are now lieing and the newspaper article must be true. No reason is given why Betfair should want to lie but they are absolutely determined "to believe". 2009 seems to be a summer of Walter Mittys publishing unsubstantiated and physically unachievable winnings with a gullible public hanging on every word.