Geoff Banks - what an utter cretin!

You obviously won more beans than you lost Rob_The_Bantam and that has clearly upset the bean counters.

Two things baffle myself Re these quick and often punitive restrictions.1/ How many of those closed down now for daring to win or even appear that they might would if allowed to continue become losing customers in the future.?

2/ Why do these firms who restrict people to tiny amounts at the price not at least show some honesty and officially close the account because this is what they are really doing.I can guess the answer to my own question but with increasing awareness and publicity that firms such as Ladbrokes will restrict to pennies do they then feel no embarrassment or shame in still calling themselves Bookmakers.?

I would guess:

1. Plenty would end up longterm losers, therefore costing the books profit and also the sport

2. They rarely shut them because they then get their lieing reps on tv and try and give the perception that they close only these mythical punters that are taking them for millions - when nothing could be further from the truth. It's easy to say they have only closed 0.001% of betting accounts, but won't mention the figure of how many are actually restricted and dormant accounts because they won't lay more than 50p.

I could be wrong but doubt it, it's not like they go on tv and tell it exactly how it is.

I was restricted by B0ylesp0rts and refused bets for a tenner, then a fiver, then two quid, then a pound, so just for the fun of it and to save time, tried a 5p bet and a 1p bet and still no joy.

I phoned them just out of interest and was told it was a trader's decision and that's all they would say on the matter. I opened the account about 2 years ago with £50 and ended up withdrawing £106 in total when closing it, but even then they wanted me to jump through hoops because I had a new bank card and they were saying the could only pay out to the old one which wasn't in use any more, so a tenner of that £106 was added after I was restricted!

From memory I think I then had to delete the old card and add a new one and make a deposit with the new card before I could withdraw back to it, yet when I initially tried to delete the old card it was saying I wasn't allowed to if my balance was above £10 or ironically if I had any unsettled bets, although they would have had to take a bet first for it to even be unsettled or for me to potentially lose enough to go down to £10.

I phoned them and got through to a Far East sounding woman at a call centre who told me I had to get a letter from my bank saying I had a new card and to scan or photograph the letter and send it to them and she would remove my old card so that I could add the new one. I suggested wouldn't it be easier just to send a photo of the actual new card instead but she wasn't having it.

The next day I phoned and got an Irish bloke answer, who deleted the card no problem, so that I could add the new one, deposit some more money and then immediately withdraw it all back to the new card to finally hit my bank account a few days later.

I'm just debating now whether I should put that £46 profit over 2 years into a new Geoff Banks account or not......At least I should be able to get on anything Sean Levey rides anyway!

Boyles closed mine after 5 bets and 5 losers with a loss of £740, beat SP 4 times so that was that.

Having 74p left in my B0yles account a year or so back I decided to blow the lot on an accumulator to close the account down, teams entered 74p acc placed

Result



Max 11p

I'm not taking sides but Geoff taking too much stick on here. He's in the buisness to make money, pure and simple.

If you're not happy with his attitude, punt elsewhere.

As for those that complain about getting there accounts stopped/restricded it's really simple, just punt on here.

I have about eight phone accounts which I barely use and the reason for that is on the odd occasion I want to put on a 'ticket'

I usually get accommadated or for an ante post bet.

As for online accounts I genuinely have never taken up any 'offers', I don't like to waste my time.

Two online accounts only, here and purple.

I mean, how can anybody go through oddschecker an take up all the offers?

I would nead to buy a new notebook with all the usernames and passwords.

Not for me I'm afraid..

Some spelling errors above. Too much Peronis last night.

Don't bookies have to be willing to take a bet first in order to make money?

As for as the password problem goes, just choose "incorrect" and that way if you ever forget and type the wrong one, you will get a message saying "your password is incorrect."

Or if it tells you that it has to contain 8 characters then go for snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs.

As for as the password problem goes,



I have enough with here, bank accounts etc. If you want 40-50 feel free.

Why should consumers be treated so differently when they're having a bet compared to any other activity?  If you're buying a telly you look for the best price and electrical outlets accept that and compete, if you're buying the weekly shop you look for the best price and supermarkets accept that and compete, if you're going on holiday you look for the best price and travel agencies accept that and compete. Repeat ad nauseum.

But if you're having a bet and look for the best price you're labelled a filthy arber and told to **** off...unless you have a second bet which is the equivalent of buying a can of beans for a fiver. Rather misses the point of having the first bet I'd have thought.

We don't want money back cr@p, we don't want cash races, we don't want free bets, we don't want 50/1 about any horse in the Supreme.  We just want to bet at our discretion at advertised prices to a reasonable sum.....and if we're that bloody good at it you should do what your forefathers did and have it back somewhere else with a little bit on top for yourself. 

This industry has turned into a national disgrace.

^ - and car insurance - price competitive product - people shop around

if the insurer doesn't really want the business they price higher, but will take it at that [right] price, having established the risk  ..

Why should consumers be treated so differently when they're having a bet compared to any other activity?



Sainsburys were doing an offer this week. Eighteen cans of 440ml  Budweiser for £12.

Why can I only buy ten cases when I want fifty cases?

Do you really need me to answer that?

The proper analogy would be if they kept running different specials and you kept going back for your maximum, would they throw you off the premises in week 3 and tell you not to come back ever again?

(I can answer that too, if you need me to)

Great point stewarty. I suspect everybody would be happy with a limit that is the same for every customer. Not be revoked from certain customers because they bought a kilo of bananas that were cheaper than anywhere else for a short time last week.

I can buy fifty cases easily but it would mean going to more than one Sainsburys.

Why can I only buy ten cases when I want fifty cases?

anything to do with your ASBO stewarty b

lol pablo. No, it's not but I'm sitting in my living room and I'm only wearing a pair of shorts and still far too hot.

Any perverts trying to imagine the scene please keep your sarcasm to yourself.

are you beach ready s b ?

I am indeed D, but not today.

Geoff appears to have waved the white flag !   

There's probably a reason why Sainsbury's don't let someone buy 50 cases of beer and it's probably the same reason that they don't let you buy 50 boxes of aspirin either.

Even if one box was for Geoff Banks after getting involved in this thread!

Geoff knows he and his chums have no shot to offer, halcyon.

He's enjoying this thread anyway, imamazed, don't worry about that.  Has been splashing it all over Twitter.

I agree with Stewarty b , Jeff is taking too much flak on here all the dissenters should have a good read of his blog to understand more about where he comes from re present day Horse Racing industry.

The Headmaster, good evening.


Geoff's father John was essentially a gambler.... he'd do his conkers laying winning favourite after winning favourite and, think it's time for the cliff edge if this one wins !


The offspring appears to have a more conservative view on the art of bookmaking !


But, he was totally ( J B ) correct about his....


' betting shops are a licence to print money ' quote from the sixties !

The overheads were zilch and, limits across the card and for accumulator bets !

Geoff's hit the meths !   

I'll ignore Halcyon days comments- i try to reserve responses for those posters who remain reasonable. As fdor rob the batman or whoever he is - not a clue- we don't have any rob the batmans

Clearly most bookmakers - and i am a bookmaker and not the numbers traders we see on racetracks playing exchanges, don't respond to the rant artists on here, for the obvious reason its an exchange forum. Doesn't bother me to give an honest view

I agree with Loper - times have changed and I believe some posters on here need to recognise that. Do i approve of Bet365 betting deliberately overbroke to encourage new custom to drive into casino? No of course I do not. It's an odious practice. They would argue it works, because they sign up thousands a week on offers.

I see none of you recognising many of the ills you complain about (premium charges, lack of liquidity) being treated with the same hostile remarks I get for closing some accounts. I understand why you complain at bookmakers. You use us as the vital portal to making money out of horse racing and its frutrating when they shut you down. Who likes their livelihood or part of restricted?

It's a harsh reality-I do not approve of it, but to survive in the online game you have to compete with firms betting to minimal margin, or no margin, then suffer the double whammy of traders on racecourse further wrecking the margin by betting to exchange odds and not laying an egg after they've traded. I've seen their 'books' on even the biggest days, and it's double pathetic what many stand horses to lose. There are few decent layers left on track - but they start with 1/4 odds in 12-15 runner races

So yes, we simply have to adapt. I don't like it. I wish all bookmakers bet to appreciable margins- and not offer exchange odds - but that simply isn't the world we live in. I do know we lay a very fair bet- and do our best to give customers a good spin of the wheel. To that end we get few complaints as against our competitors. As for Robbie Batman - well he's on here- do I guess my horse racing man marked him pretty quick.

You also have to adapt- accept betting to minimal margins is a utopia and your complaints can only be valid if you'd admit you'd give me business if I was 5/4 and the horse was 2.38 on here

Geoff, do you ever come across big bettors nowadays? I remember in the early 80s, early 90s you could buy the Sporting Life and see some amazing bets laid. (mostly at the big meetings) 300k t0 100k, 100k to 8k, an even 200k etc.

I'm speaking Cheltanham, Royal Ascot, and York. Are these days gone forever iyo?

I've often wondered how those transactions are made,stewarty. Would the punter be paid by cheque or by bank transfer?

Mostly cash I believe sparrow, but no doubt there would have been cheques involved in some cases.


Take the late Freddie Williams for example with his 'battle' with JP. JP would have only needed to give Freddie the nod and he was on, probably by bank transfer and trust.

I couldn't somehow imagine being paid out £5,000 in cash on course let alone those larger amounts.

On course bookmakers would open accounts with regular high waging punters as it was in both parties' interests not to be counting out 10s of thousands of pounds in cash in the middle of the ring.

I would imagine a reputable rails bookmaker having 20-30k in his satchel at the big meetings.

Look at last year when Ruby won the first the and some punters were let down by Annie Powers fall.

The first three must have cost the bookies a small fortune??

I remember feeling I'd finally earnt my betting stripes as a result of Stephen Little suggesting we forsake the hassle of counting out bank notes.

It was a particularly nasty weather day at Chepstow and having successfully punted a heavy ground performer I went up to collect from Stephen's joint only to be informed by his assistant, Paul Holder, that I couldnt be paid out in the immediate future as the joint had been waterlogged and as a result all the money was sodden. 'Where's Stephen?', I inquired,  to be told he was in the Tatts cafe kitchen trying to dry out the money in their oven.

Freddie Williams has been mentioned, and often is, when it comes to the laying of large wagers. However, Stepen Little was THE biggest layer in the ring for many years. An absolute legend in my time punting on course.

Can't argue with that loper re: Stephen Little. A legeng as you say in the ring and fearless. Would I be right in saying that he bet to tighter margins as opposed to other rails books to get more buisness?

SL made a book.

No one does now.

Freddie Williams laid JP a massive bet on his horse at Newbury,in the Mares final hurdle.I believe it was to win £250,000,and yes,it won

Yes, in a way Stewarty, in that he didnt push horses out to attract business unlike many others. Also he always left the ring between races, whether on the rails or when in the ring at places like Exeter, Taunton & Wincanton.

He would allow others to set the odds and the market to mature before he reappeared, in the knowledge that the market had settled down and any ricks had been ironed out. On that basis he was confident that he could lay virtually any bet, however large, because he was protected by a stable overround. Winning or losing on any one race, ie trying to make a book each time, wasnt for him. He didnt want his turnover inhibited and felt that over a year he must win with the overround in his favour.

And he was proved right over a very long time.

Sorry, Pompous, you are incorrect in your assertion.

I know loper; it was a provocative comment intended to produce a response!

I am aware some do: most don't however.

A couple of interesting questions:

How do all of these 'bookies' (sic) actually keep getting enough mugs to play with them - surely the 100's of these things advertising all over the place are eating each other alive? (or do you have a secret for that problem Geoff, serious question).

Why is Geoff Banks called 'sportsadvisor' - wasn't that some tipping firm with a picture of a girl from Cardiff (as a front) I recall?

was it Brandi ? 

May 30, 2016 -- 1:32PM, unbiased wrote:

Freddie Williams laid JP a massive bet on his horse at Newbury,in the Mares final hurdle.I believe it was to win £250,000,and yes,it won

he laid a big price one of JP's in the pertemps final at cheltenham for a fortune

I would imagine a reputable rails bookmaker having 20-30k in his satchel at the big meetings.


you might be right but i doubt its anywhere near that amount

Sorry, mixing up with Goaladvisor from my memory banks.

Still, why the name Sportsadvisor? Still sounds like a tipping line!

Another name for Bookmaker. Like Turf Accountant.

an on course bookmaker would need more cash about them nowadays especially if they back all the winners back on here

Geoff, fair play for coming on here and putting your point's....


surprised you can't take a bit of ''joshing'', thought you liked a joke ?....

And, I hardly think your firm would entertain opening an account with someone called Rob The Bantam !


Do you want him to reveal who he is ?....

As fdor rob the batman or whoever he is - not a clue- we don't have any rob the batmans...As for Robbie Batman - well he's on here- do I guess my horse racing man marked him pretty quick.

What a great reply, Geoff.  10/10 for that one.  I had bets on a 20/1 shot (was trading at 23-24 on here at the time of bet) and a 7/1 shot, which was 8.2 on here at the time, I think.  So neither were arbs, there was no bonus to avail of and the stakes weren't monstrous.  They quite possibly beat SP, but then so do about 80% of bets, owing to the ridiculous hacking of every horse as soon as board prices kick in.

You said that you give punters a month or so to evaluate their betting patterns before making any kneejerk decisions on limiting.  Are you now confirming that this is a load of rubbish? 

I think I've said it a few times before, but I'll say it again: I have no problem with you refusing business or limiting accounts, but why do you have to lie about it?  Just be truthful that you want clueless mugs.

your complaints can only be valid if you'd admit you'd give me business if I was 5/4 and the horse was 2.38 on here

I didn't get the chance.  Two bets at under exchange prices and I was gone.  Pathetic stuff.

Well said Rob; p!ssed off with Geoff taking the moral high ground !


The man's ego....  Jeez !

RTB once again owning Geoff !       

Geoff why not admit you're a numbers man.....


Pater was a gambler !

Rob- can't discuss a client's business- as you'd appreciate- but you are being 100% untruthful!

A forum unfathomable.

Who do you believe, the poster accusing another of telling lies or the poster calling another untruthful ?

Has either got form for trolling the forum ?

I know who I believe !

give us the horses and the stakes, rob the bantam

Restrictions doesn't affect me but if I opened a new account I would put some stupid bets through for a while before backing market movers or winners at big prices. Play the long game,,,

rob_the_bantam is a known forum troll and a mixer,to gain a bit of notoriety
he palled up ZODIAC who is a compulsive liar and attention seeker.
he should post up the horses names and stakes as  TheFear suggested.

So, how does the business keep finding enough punters Geoff? Honest question.

What do you think of the wall-to-wall ads B365, Betfair, Matchbook, WH, Ladies, Corals etc etc......, and the millions of other deformed incarnations for gamblers to use, that advertise so much, surely they are creaming all of the custom from each other (and yourself)?

It's a complete mystery to me, when betting is itself under fire (gamcare etc), even with health warnings now compulsory on ads.

How does it all keep viable?

To phrase it another way:

Did none of your own customers notice any of the 300 adverts for alternatives they would pass to get to you?!

TO SUM IT UP,THE SO CALLED "BIG BOYS" ARE AKIN TO THE MOTORWAY SERVICES FUEL STATIONS(ESPECIALLY ONCOURSE) MUGS ONLY PLEASE,USUALLY THE TERM SHREWDY USED BY A BOOKMAKER OFF COURSE MEANS A PERSON WITH AN IQ ABOVE 50 ,COLLECTIVELY THESE PEOPLE ARE KILLING THE GAME!

rob_the_bantam is a known forum troll and a mixer,to gain a bit of notoriety
he palled up ZODIAC who is a compulsive liar and attention seeker.
he should post up the horses names and stakes as  TheFear suggested.


yup - a forum liar

^ your proof ?

for you 'Facts' ? I need no proof- you're another troll. Put some trousers on and get a job

Why would Geoff need to lie about anything?

in my experience Geoff will lay a very fair bet....but at the end of the day he is a businessman and will run his business as he wants to.....to his credit he has at least come on here and explained...

Or refused to explain, as some have pointed out.

How the heck does he know the difference between a winning punter (he claims he would keep) and a winning pro (he claims he refuses)?

"Where The Fun Never Stops!"

for you 'Facts' ? I need no proof- you're another troll. Put some trousers on and get a job
Rate reply:

L L

Sportsadvisor    31 May 16 14:17 
for you 'Facts' ? I need no proof- you're another troll. Put some trousers on and get a job


Is that the best you can do ? How pathetic.

poor old facts has taken four hours to put his trousers on,and come up with a witty reply

Facts got owned..YET AGAIN what a plum

I thing that gets me is that we are regularly told of the importance of attracting younger people to come racing and/or getting them to start following racing and presumably start betting on the sport, yet it's arguable how much of a success that has been with plenty of other more popular sports like football, as well as FOBT for them to bet on, so each time a bookie refuses business or limits existing punters of an older age then where are their new customers coming from to replace them?

I personally think there's a strong possibility that in the future FBOT will see stakes severely cut per spin or completely banned and then bookies will be left with a reduced customer base when those FOBT players can't play them any more.

poor old facts has taken four hours to put his trousers on,and come up with a witty replyLaughLaughLaugh

:)

FOBT's?

Horrific invention. Addictive beyond belief. If they were not making as much as they are for government you'd see them chopped. That's as far as the gambling commission remit extends. Look after the vulnerable - if they're big corporations looking to advertise on the telly 'money back ' deals, or ruin people's lives with

machines (should read)

i really don't understand why you come on here mr banks if i am being honest the only question i would like to ask you since your father passed away are you in front or are you behind since you took over the pitches from him

i know it's much different from when your father was betting

no idea why you think you deserve a response- how's your business doing?

It is kind of odd that a bookie wants to join in fishing on the betfair forum, I must admit. Avoids all the actual questions asked on here but carries on posting on here? Why?

It is kind of odd that a bookie wants to join in fishing on the betfair forum, I must admit. Avoids all the actual questions asked on here but carries on posting on here? Why?

Free publicity, whether or good or bad, is never to be refused or abused, goes with the oversized ego, always will be the same, don't expect any change to the status quo.

it's not going well mr banks because i can't get on plus i am not a arber before anyone goes there i bet on greyhounds but i would bet 1t10 that you are behind from when you took over from your father iv'e seen you in action before betfair was around when we had some very good bookmakers on the rails and in the ring you were not very good back then but you might have got better over the years because of betfair ps if you come on betfair you will get some stick because this is an open forum which i still don't know why you would want to come on here

Bit sad he feels compelled to mock the 'easy targets', sums him up.

to be fair to mr banks he did take a fair bet before betfair but i think he found out the hard way.i am going back a nice few years now but mr banks was a nice man them days i don't know about today this game can drive you off your head

The Old Man took a very fair bet - but he's not been around for 20 years. I've prospered (without) Betfair in an exchange world. That's not all bad. Few real bookies left in the ring betting to standard place terms and never turning down a bet

mr banks like to ask you a final question dudley roberts is he still with us do you know

Good Ol Dudley - a Gentleman. I believe he's alive and well

good to hear yes a true gentleman is mr roberts i bid you farewell mr banks and hope i don't see you post on here anymore don't see the point to be honest

This banks geezer should be a politician, fit right in - never answer a question when you can talk borlax instead.

Dr. as you said it's an open forum and besides if someone feels it ok to put up as a topic  for debate "Geoff Banks-what an utter cretin" i think it's ok for him to get involved don't you ??

Rob- can't discuss a client's business- as you'd appreciate- but you are being 100% untruthful!

No I'm not.  It's the complete truth.  Pathetic that you'd call me a liar and then hide behind client confidentiality.

I'm not sure if you just need your ego massaging by the few on here who'll believe you, but we've at least established the truth: Geoff Banks simply wants addicts and mugs who'll take any price about something.  Dare to take a competitve price on something and you'll be restricted to nowt.

It's a measure of you, Geoff, that when your back's against the wall, you simply resort to childish abuse.  Why not be honest for once in your life?  You've been asked loads of times how many long term winners you have on your books and it seems to have bypassed you.  I'm sure there's plenty on here who won't like me as a poster, but will still appreciate that you're talking absolute garbage.  It's clear as day.

Yep.

restrictions- a tough one on an exchange forum -i'll have a go - and again i stress it's my own view and with my business and its customers in mind

I don't do professional gamblers-so if you sit at home with banks of screens and can't get on anywhere because you're numbers trading, arbing, or shoving on hot money - I can't help you.

To be fair I don't see why I should assist those in business to run one off of my back

Recreational gamblerts -WIN OR LOSE - won't get their bets restricted by me, at least that's policy and I accept it's possible we make analysis mistakes. But since we give our customers no less than a month to determine their style of play normally, that's why we get less complaints

If we do close or restrict- we try to explain our thinking. We don't just close with no explanation

Again, I accept our analysis could be wrong. Bear in mind, if you sit with banks of screens and exchange Bots- you're a pro - even if you fail at it.

As for the £1 offers (and I've had them myself from 365 and so forth) they're disrespectful to anyone, professional or ama

Well that was a long and interesting Thread here are my thoughts.

I enjoy GB on the ML as most gravy trainers just sit on the fence nowadays.
I disagree you want loyal customers win or lose as after exactly a year after opening my account I got restricted.
You don't advise your thinking when restriction takes place in fact I get more emails now than when 40k of bets was heading your way.
Having won £2900 I feel you gave me a fair shot so no ill feeling enjoy causing controversy on then ML

OTS

I fear we are all 'feeding the troll' rather on this thread. As said earlier, he's obviously only using it to promote himself, with absolutely no intention to really address the main issues:

Restricting any winners

Fishing for mug players for his business

He has already stated he is not in the business of promoting anyone elses business, so I'd suggest we stop promoting his on here too. Not sure what he's doing here, as he openly has a hatred of exchanges (cf his debate with Caan Berry on twitter for that).

Tried to imply that Betfair traders were somehow doing something illegal (don't pay tax).

Well perhaps do one and go back to bookie-land then please Geoff?

Surely, they very much DO pay tax !


Betfair commission's and Premium Rate Charge's ( which are paid by it's clients' ), are TAXABLE when the company submits it's accounts !


Geoff, take the ''blinkers'' off !