U.S setback for Betfair

icebreaker

icebreaker

At the Start
Joined
Jun 12, 2005
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From Betfair today ......................
"We regret to notify you that as of now we will no longer be offering exchange markets on racing from the all Churchill Downs-controlled US tracks due to contractual limitations placed on our US affiliate, TVG, by Churchill Downs.
The impacted US tracks are: Arlington Park, Calder Race Course, Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Hoosier Park, Oaklawn Park and The Meadows."

So I won't be able to have a Betfair bet on next month's Kentucky Derby. :mad:
I enjoy nightly American racing; not being able to bet on Arlington, Churchill or Oaklawn ( the others are a bit mickey-mouse) is a disappointment.

It would seem the Americans are becoming mightily protective of their pari mutuel -- they know that their 27% takeout cannot compete against Betfair's 5% comm without outright protectionism.
But, is there a danger this could develop legs? Might other track operators like Stronach who runs Santa Anita, Laurel, and Gulfstream etc follow suit?
Bad news.
 
Heh, Luke, with you on that!
(Can I add Philly-Parx and Sunland?). :)
But yeah, the three you mention are kinda crucial to keep things ticking over for us. ;)
I'll miss having the opportunity of wagering Kentucky Derby on May 5th, though.
 
My best ever piece of luck gambling revolved around the 2005 Kentucky gambling.I was backing a complete outsider at 110 and laying off at 100.As the race went off the market turned against me and in desperation I tried to lay the entire bet off at 20s in running.
The nags name was Giacomo-he came so fast,late and wide that very little of my 20s was matched.
 
I was a fairly significant player in the late night American markets on Friday & Saturday nights a couple of years ago.I had a theory that the racing was so bad that mostly nobody really knew.I was fairly certain that a lot of players were fresh in from the pub and either chasing losses or were hung ho after a nights boozing.
Worked well for a while but ultimately the markets got ridiculously weak.
 
I see...a former work colleague once lost €1500 on one night's online poker. He only copped it next day when he checked his bank balance. Thankfully, I learned a lesson from him.
 
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