one consequence I think this will have is that BF will at some point be forced to legally defend the linkage of accounts for PC purposes. there's just too much money involved now for someone not to go to law.

Totally agree. I mean, I run bots on the football markets. Why couldn't I 'encourage' my girlfriend to open a Betfair account, and then give her my software and a few basic instructions (press that button, love). Technically, and legally, she is doing the betting.

what software do you use contrarian? i await your negotiation for my (far from) PC account?

*obliged

Paul, some of the people on here are needlessly rude, but a number are actually quite helpful.

I like to be needlessly rude. I consider it payment for the times I'm quite helpful.

speak to you on msn Lori?

This is not a good move business-wise from bf. It's something they were pressured into by the City and wh/ imv will rebound on them.

There are market makers paying over 20% in comm. generated (but less than 40%) offering fine prices and accommodating bf's losing client base. These people are more like bf's suppliers than their regular punters. In being prepared to freeze them out or take more from them, bf will force a migration and may not be able to provide as good as service themselves.

A better long-term strategy wd be to move into new markets with price as the USP. Exchange prices are always going to be better than monopoly tote or private book providers. By admitting they are no more than a private bookmaker themselves, bf are limiting their possibilities for growth.

I think you overestimate me, baldloaf ;)

Are you lot gonna be happy when the big punters leave rather than pay this tax and the liquidity on all the favourite markets end up looking like the US racing markets?

jah jah ich agree-en

Will it get rid of the shrewdies?

There seems to be a widely held belief that markets on here have become more competitive in the last few years.

This indicates to me that the whole business of gambling has become more disciplined on Betfair and more professional.

Automated betting and intense knowledge of markets for long term winners today; suggests that Betfair's idea in its advertising literature of "novice against novice betting" maybe outdated.

Judging by the replies on this thread, if you can believe them? their are still many who still make a good profit on the more competive modern Betfair, these people weren't put off by the changing nature of the exchange in some ways they've flourished with their automated betting and fast pictures.

Will Betfair bleed its customers dry in time? Who knows! maybe, but the laws of natural selection suggests the strong will be the last ones standing. Winners in life always seem to find a way to adapt and survive.

Its been pointed out before that in reality long term winners pay nothing to the exchange (the successfull gained all their revenue from the people who are unable to make a profit on here) so in reality it is the 85% of us who make a loss on here who will pay this tax.

Excellent common sense post no moves.

Although you could frame it like that no moves, the losers pay nothing extra as a result of this tax.

It simply changes the split of profits between Betfair and it's winning customers.

If this split changes from 80/20 to 90/10, the losers don't pay a penny more, it simply means that a little more of the losers money goes to Betfair rather than the winning customer.

Losers pay the same amount, but the proportion in which their funds are split is altered. The 0.1% winners actually pay more.

Ergo winners pay the tax, not losers.

Forgive me if I am just being cynical but could theinvestor2 be an employee of Betfair?

i thought betfair was about the average person betting against other similar people. when you atart talking about winning a 1/4 mil in profits you might as well say you are betting against a shyte load a bookies.

i am happy about this pc charge as i don't want to bet against people who have walls of money at prices that are sure to have an edge.

i am happy about this pc charge as i don't want to bet against people who have walls of money at prices that are sure to have an edge.

how about betting in direct competition with betfair then? thats where this is all heading.

i thought betfair was about the average person betting against other similar people. when you atart talking about winning a 1/4 mil in profits you might as well say you are betting against a shyte load a bookies.

i am happy about this pc charge as i don't want to bet against people who have walls of money at prices that are sure to have an edge.



So for someone who has been here as long as you that equates to just 25k a year for a 8-10 hour day over, perhaps, a seven day week. Not even minimum wage.
When betfair are making the markets they'll be taking commission off you if you win and will be taking the majority of your money when you lose, basically they want the lot off everyone not just pc payers.

They have there own team and it will be an organic process from within the Betfair mothership.....

Personally, I don't think they will successfull rid their exchange of those who will be able to tuck them up a treat.

Silverback.....because Smartodds' owner is, like me, a Brentford fan and his generous investment helps keep the club afloat. Without his funding (he's gradually buying the majority shareholding from the supporters trust) we'd probably be struggling near the bottom of League 2 rather than an upper middle League 1 team. Anything that hits his profits could be bad news for Brentford. I've always assumed Smartodds is of the bigger players on here, I know he's made many millions from betting on football, but I never see the company mentioned on here. Perhaps he just manages to do it quietly, which fits in with him and his company's general low profile approach.

Smartodds are indeed one of the biggest players on here.