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Gambling Commission says no to banning in-running betting

This was always going to happen, but until a government body actually says it's complete, you can't be sure.

UK's In-Running Betting Study sees no evidence for policy change

I believe the study came as a result of moaning and whingeing from Henry Spurway, the operator of the first in-running trading room in Scotland several years ago. Spurway had a failed business model, earning only from a small cut on bets placed in his shop, rather than charging for daily access to a computer terminal and fast pictures like the current venues do. When Spurway came to the realisation that he couldn't make it work, he then made it his mission to shut down Betfair like a bitter, twisted man.

Call to ban in-running betting

A cheat's paradise

Objection to Betfair

If the guy couldn't realise that there were others out there trying to make money and be faster than him, then he needs his head read. The shop also encouraged punters to sign up and bet in-running, but gave no help in actually understanding how the complicated exchange platform worked. I've spoken to a few punters who did their conkers at Easibet because they didn't understand unmatched bets stayed in the system. Greed without the sense to actually investigate how it all worked... a dangerous combination.

Bookmakers always had the information advantage over punters, now the tide has turned. If punters can't work out that there are delays in broadcasting (the simple process of digital technology dictates there must be delays along the journey), particularly when there are warnings in bold on the screen (if you don't read the warnings, then it's your own bloody fault), then they are likely to lose their money.

It's all about timing. Betting in the first couple of furlongs of a race makes little difference re delays, if you want to bet in the dying stages, then of course timing is going to make a difference.

Bookmakers now rely on in-play betting as a service differentiator. I was told recently something like 1/3 of bookmaker margins now comes from betting in-running. Little wonder you look at major bookies these days and they are betting on Phillipine basketball, women's handball or Arabic football. It's not cheap for the bookies though. A service such as Cobain Ltd doesn't come cheap.

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