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http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd?event_id=11032624&category=0
Stevenson recruited to new Bettors Forum
By Graham Green 3:30PM 17 AUG 2015
CHANNEL 4 RACING'S Tanya Stevenson is the highest-profile recruit to the new Horseracing Bettors Forum, set up by the BHA to provide punters with a formal route of communication to the people making the decisions that govern the sport.
Stevenson and her eight fellow HBF members, due to meet for the first time under the chairmanship of Timeform head of research and development Simon Rowlands on September 4, were selected from more than 100 applicants to represent the nine million people who bet on British racing every year, but whose views have largely gone unheard in the past.
As part of the initiative, a Twitter account, email address and website have been set up with the aim of gathering ideas that might be discussed at the HBF's quarterly meetings.
The BHA has formed a racing and betting group consisting of senior representatives from the racing and betting industries that will consider proposals from the HBF which will also provide an outlet for testing suggestions generated elsewhere.
Stevenson said: "I am excited to be part of this forum. For too long now betting on horseracing has been withering away, and hopefully the forum can find out why that has happened, and more importantly, come up with solutions to reverse that trend."
The HBF members, who also include former Tote managing director Jason Brautigam, will be supported by three expert advisers in former Stan James spokesman Rory Jiwani, former Racing Post and Betfair PR representative Tony Calvin, and professional punter and poker player Neil Channing.
BHA chief executive Nick Rust said: "I'm very pleased with the make-up of the forum and welcome the members. The number and quality of the applications was outstanding. They represent a wide range of views and approaches to betting, from professional to recreational punters.
"These are people whose passion for the sport, and betting, will lead to them giving up their time on a semi-regular basis to represent the betting public for no remuneration - that is greatly appreciated and to be applauded.
"We expect to be challenged by the Forum and we welcome this. We are committed, where possible, to acting on the forum's recommendations if a development which will genuinely be of benefit to the betting public is identified. It is a great opportunity for the sport, and something that should put us, as the regulator, more in tune with our customers."
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What a LOL. Bettors forum = media luvvies forum.
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Tarnya - equivalent to hiring Harold Shipman as a carer at an old peoples home
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Stone me. I wouldn't have bothered to apply if I'd realised it was same old, same old. What a joke. Do they never learn?
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Tony sayed if it drifts put moore on
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on the other side of the coin ............ Neil Channing an excellent choice
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So Rory never got on with SJ either! Is Tanya still gonna be crawling up bookies reps' ar ses every Saturday morning or is that now a no no? She is despicable!
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Well Tanya has stood as a bookmaker for her father on the racecourse and dog tracks. Whether that is an advantage I wouldn't like to guess.
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So these 3 are advisers not part of the actual panel? So basically they are ensuring the bookmakers' voice is heard even in the bettors' forum.
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severe conflicts of interest here
 Nick Rust - jumped off HMS Ladbrokes before it hit the iceberg Simon Rowlands - former Billy Hills shop manager Tarnya - bookmaking family, who advises live on air ante post prices with Sid James and Spoils Rory Jiwani - Stan James Fantasy Island Betting Dept Tony Calvin - former Betfair gravy boat slurper Neil Channing - sponsored by Skybet Poker |
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It seems to revolve around two separate factions. Reminds me of the Labour Party leadership election!
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Spot on Big Boss.
They also claim that "The Forum members comprise a diverse range of ages, backgrounds and approaches" ...they clearly have a different definition of 'diverse' than the rest of us. eg the ages of this 'bettors' forum: 24 35 42 43 44 44 44 52 55 |
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Joined: 08 Jun 02
| Topic/replies: 2,745 | Blogger: Big Boss's blog on the other side of the coin ............ Neil Channing an excellent choice Obviously Big Boss has done some research since this ludicrous statement! Every one of them is either paid, been paid or sponsored by bookmakers at one time or another. What a farce but typical of an industry that doesn't want to know the truth about puntwers and betting. This panel is just like the Tory review group who are looking into the BBC's charter. Full of people with vested interests. |
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I think Channing will be good. Heard his podcast the other week about bookie's restrictions and he sounds as if he speak up about all the important issues.
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Anyone who has listened to the 'Final Furlong' podcast(link below) will have hopes that Calvin and Channing could represent good choices. Tanya will hopefully contribute some balanced input from both 'sides of the fence' but Jiwani's inclusion is so preposterous it makes me want to cry...
https://soundcloud.com/emmet-kennedy/the-betting-debate-with-neil-channing-tony-calvin |
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Channing and Calvin aren't on the forum and don't have to attend meetings. Just "advisers".
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how can they represent good choices,they all work for bookmakers ,why do these people want be involved in this
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ego
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sop
noun 1. a thing of no great value given or done as a concession to appease someone whose main concerns or demands are not being met. "my agent telephones as a sop but never finds me work" 2. a piece of bread dipped in gravy, soup, or sauce. |
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From the BHA website:
The Forum Members GLENN ALCOE, 42, Surrey, is a full-time punter with a particular interest in exotic and pool betting, and with how betting on British racing measures up against betting in other racing jurisdictions. He is also an award-winning blogger and is active on social media and internet forums. MATT BISOGNO, 43, London, is a former software development project manager and consultant who is now managing director of the popular online racing community geegeez.co.uk. A small-time racehorse owner, his betting is data-driven and he has contributed to previous BHA focus groups about betting. JASON BRAUTIGAM, 43 , Chester, has worked at a senior level at Ascot racecourse and the Tote, including as Managing Director of the latter. A regular bettor, including on other sports, he has lobbied for the creation of a body like the HBF and brings an in-depth knowledge of international betting. He is now Chief Executive at British Dressage. QUEN EMMENES, 35, Berkshire, works in professional services and risk analytics. A casual punter and regular racegoer, he grew up in South Africa, where he cut his betting teeth, but has lived in Britain since 2007 and combines a keen interest in horseracing with the same in several other sports. SCOTT FERGUSON, 44, Surrey, is an Australian who has lived in Britain since 2004. A lifelong racing and betting fan, and champion of punter education, he created the Education department at Betfair. He has been a wagering industry consultant since 2009. He hosts sportismadeforbetting.com, a popular blog which showcases the work of the public on racing and other sports, both in Britain and internationally. JAMES PROSSER, 24, Swansea, is an owner and director of MyRacing.com, a site for horseracing punters which has nearly 100,000 Twitter followers. Previously primarily a football bettor, he has concentrated on horseracing since gaining a Law degree three years ago and bets daily on the sport while owning shares in a number of horses. SIMON ROWLANDS, (Chair), 52, Sheffield, has worked most of his life at Timeform, where he is Head of R&D, but was briefly a betting-shop manager, the racing editor of a sports newspaper and made most of his living from backing horses. A well-known blogger, he was award-nominated in 2014 for work on sectional timing, and for exposes on race-distance measurements and starting-price irregularities. TANYA STEVENSON, 44, Surrey, is from a bookmaking family and has many years of experience in the betting industry, with her current job as betting expert on Channel 4 Racing bringing her regularly into contact with the punting and race-going public. She has worked on BHA groups, Tattersalls Committee and is a judge of the Betting Shop Manager of The Year. STEVEN TILLEY, 55, Gloucestershire, has been a racing fan since he was a teenager and a member at Cheltenham racecourse for 30 years. He has written about betting for magazines and spoken at betting workshops, and mixes with punters across the spectrum from those in it purely for fun to those who take it very seriously. He has been a local councillor for the last 25 years. In addition, the Forum will be calling on the input of three Expert Advisors, who will not be required to attend meetings but who will be asked for their viewpoint on the matters to be discussed at those meetings. These individuals are: Rory Jiwani (blogger and former media representative for Stan James, now returned to sports TV production); Tony Calvin (formerly Racing Post and Betfair, now betting consultant and media freelancer); and Neil Channing (former bookmaker and odds compiler, now a professional punter and poker player).” The way I interpret that statement is that Calvin and Channing will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution. Listen to the podcast, link above. |
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thats a better list ...
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Apologies, didn't notice this thread when I started the other one.
Isn't there a slight complication here in that the BHA actually want punters to lose as much as possible? So they are hardly likely to hire anything other than a bunch of yes men. If they really wanted to improve the punters lot:- (1) They would be looking to cut the fixture list in half. (2) Massively cut back on the ridiculous number of handicaps. (3) Make sure the Stewards are actually doing their jobs regarding horses being run on their merits and jockeys trying hard enough. What are the chances of any one of those being put in practice? Zilch, but no doubt you will get sectional times cluttering up your screens - see the no doubt self-appointed Chairman. Hurrah. |
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thebeg
17 Aug 15 17:55 how can they represent good choices,they all work for bookmakers who on the list currently works for a bookie? |
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I've no problem with the range of ordinary folk on there, but they will really need to be assertive to get their views aired rather than those of the in-crowd advisors.
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i was responding to aviboyd 17.52 comment,calvin 32 red,channing skybet,tarnya fred done,
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Indeed Fangsy but the Forum does look to contain some strong communicators, bringing many skills and perspectives to the table. The forum deserves a chance to see what it can achieve, the members certainly hold plenty of vested interest in the future well being of the sport, good luck to them (they'll need it)...
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thebeg - have you listened to the podcast?
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Ordinary folk? It strikes as a bunch of graduate/professional people, several of whom already have some sort of connection to the industry. I suspect there are very few betting shop punters in that line up.
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yes i have avi,did calvin say he hadnt set foot in a bookies in over 10 years
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Sadly, all those mentioned in connection with the bettors forum , panel or advisors, will never be seen as having credible opinions or ideas because in the main they are, or were , in the pay of bookmakers. Tanya has on numerous occasions sided with bookmakers reps on the thorny issue of closing winning punters accounts and refusing to lay bets. Tony Calvin is little more than 'rent a betting quote' merchant , who if you actually listen to has very little worthwhile to say. This forum idea is destined to run and run because its success will never be quantifiable.
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thebeg - fair point however Calvin does bring with him extensive experience of online bookmaking. Out of interest who would you like to have seen on the list?
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A betting expert that never fails to tell us about well supported horses at 820 on an average Saturday morning.Has she ever challenged a bookmakers pr -didn't Big Mac tell Leon Blanche he was talking rubbish about a 100 grand bet.
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in 12 months time they will all be on the gravy train
slurp slurp |
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avi,i would have liked frog and millhouse from here,dont know them personally,but what they write on here i generally agree with
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paul haigh total respect - would also be a valuable addition
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yes should have mentioned him
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yes should have mentioned him
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Yes, it appears to be a way for the BHA to pretend they are interested in punters and for those who are on the forum to take a step closer to the train.
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First question for the bettors forum members : I have had accounts closed by Power, ****, Ladbrokes and VC. What can/ will you do for me ? Answer : F###K all!
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