I have been to Cheltenham for the past couple of days and was really disappointed with the on course bookmakers prices and terms.
Most were offering e/w at 1/5 in big handicaps and fewer places for each way backers than available with online bookmakers.
I have decided not to use on course bookmakers again until they offer competitive terms. I will use my phone and get incentives such as best price guaranteed, best odds guaranteed and enhanced each way terms.
On the morning line this morning there was a bookmaker saying they had taken 50% less money on the opening day. I'm sure the recession affected some of that, but mostly it will be people using their phones and laptops on course instead.
Its nice to bet on course and have the money in your hands, but it just makes no sense.
Yeah i found the same thing on tuesday. On course bookies offer ridiculous terms when it comes to each way prices but maybe it is because of the impact online bookmakers have had, by way of dominating the market completely and meaning the smaller independent bookies must take smaller risks.
Personally I still think the majority of people who go to a race meeting will continue to use the bookmakers that are on course. if they're going to use their laptop/phone/tote, that takes away a lot of the raceday experience and they could have done the same thing at home. Plus getting your phone out every 5 minutes and hauling your laptop round all day seems a lot of hassle people could do without on a day out.
But yeah, on course bookmakers are becoming a lot stingier. Even i can remember them giving 1/4 odds on more places and im only 21!
Yeah i found the same thing on tuesday. On course bookies offer ridiculous terms when it comes to each way prices but maybe it is because of the impact online bookmakers have had, by way of dominating the market completely and meaning the smaller ind
Those guys are not bookmakers they are commission agents / middle men acting between the lazy on course punter and Betfair.
While the punters still take under the odds and reduced place terms they will gladly take their money.
Those guys are not bookmakers they are commission agents / middle men acting between the lazy on course punter and Betfair.While the punters still take under the odds and reduced place terms they will gladly take their money.
I know what you mean when you say it takes a bit of the racing experience away when you bet on your phone, but I would rather take a minute to do that and know I am getting a better deal. Its still my money and its still a winner.
I know what you mean when you say it takes a bit of the racing experience away when you bet on your phone, but I would rather take a minute to do that and know I am getting a better deal. Its still my money and its still a winner.