NSW bans certain acct restrictions

Nice that NSW are doing something about it. As you say don't hold your breath over here. It would mean bookies having to go back to actually running a book.

tremendous news

only if they offer everyone the same price

FTR.  Bet365 appear to be the best bookmaker in regards to following through on this.  William Hill the worst, being Sportingbet/Centrebet/TomWaterhouse (I believe).

Others are still banning accounts, and really, will be a work in progress.

Only way I can see bookies staying in business if they're required to take the bets of shrewd punters is to offer *everyone* poor prices.

Shall watch NSW with interest but I doubt it's going to be the punters' paradise it's being made out to be.

This is a good move by NSW. However, I think it would be far better for society in general if bookmakers were obliged to use their current technological expertise to help identify those customers who had a gambling problem. I don't mind being restricted/effectively closed down, provided the bookmaker applies the same restrictions towards those with an easily identifiable gambling problem.

For me, with all the tools available to bookmakers now, why they can't handle and work to trade/hedge/cover the bet is beyond me.  As well, when the big money comes, the prices move anyways.

So much effort into "guaranteed odds", etc, rather than being openly competitive.

A laziness amongst the UK bookmakers.

reb - This may be of interest on the subject you mention
.
http://www.markxdavies.com/2015/01/05/rgt-research/

Very interesting, Gin, especially given the author's reputation and standing within the betting and business world. Thanks for posting.

I think it's only a matter of time before all online bookmakers will have to adopt this new technology which enables them to recognise a person with a gambling problem. Of course, in many cases, they can already do so but, in the interests of maximizing their profits, they presently choose to ignore the clear evidence of their data in relation to helping gambling-addicted customers.   

If they are slow to do this, the government will need to introduce measures to force them to do so in the best interests of society.

New South Wales, The racing code with the strictest Turnover charge policy has introduced measures to ensure that bookies accept larger bets and then likely have to hedge those via the exchange where teh successful punter can no longer afford to bet...

All this continuing V'landys insanity does is make thing worse for over 99% of Punters.

It only helps the likes of Steve Fletcher - currently awaiting charges for fraud.

How on earth can any politician think there are votes in abetting Sydney's burgeoning underbelly!