Comments on: BETFAIR, BREEDERS’ CUP STRIKE DEAL

By: Death Spiral

Death Spiral — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:18:25 +0000

Getting foreign money into the pools is most excellent. Well done. Thank you BC, thank you Betfair. Now just get Betfair, here.

By: Bob Hope

Bob Hope — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:24:15 +0000

Avioli’s desperate bargain is a further embarrassment to the industry. To make this sport’s most defining events an experimental series of contests again, continues to demonstrate the lack of an ethical attitude and application of a non-industry individual. His appointment to such a high level of custodian of our sport is culminating in the totally destructive pattern of an arrogant, classless, hustler. The few individuals responsible for his appointment in the beginning are evident in our midst and will continually bear the brunt of these unfortunate acts throughout history. A despicable act of power !

By: jo

jo — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:26:13 +0000

Once you lose control of the betting, it”s the road to ruin. The Breeders Cup is a once a year event.
A parasite however never gives up the trick is always to be in control. Look at the result around the world, where the racing authorities have lost control and where the bookmaking industry runs the show.

By: josh

josh — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:54:16 +0000

Give me a break — if you can’t get a mainstream co. to advertise for your biggest race of the year you are completely out of tune with the world.

Even skateboarding can get gatorade or GE to advertise …

Rome is burning, Kids!

By: Leinster Believer

Leinster Believer — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:54:16 +0000

This is a good thing for American racing. Firstly the Breeders Cup are getting extra revenue which they never could get before on the exchange markets (and no other European based operation have offered to pay) and they get a small but increasing amount of business through their PMU.

Betfair has dramatically changed betting in Europe and racing. Whilst there are problems on both sides of the Atlantic governing bodies in racing have sought to bite the hand that feed them and have fallen over themselves walking backwards with trying to address some of he issues with the on course experience and off course .

Regarding security, it’s Betfair’s role to provide the facts and highlight suspicious activity. In the cases highlighted above regarding racing and tennis it is the governing bodies remit to prosecute. Betfair gets betting right, it’s the role of the authorities to get their part right.

By: blacktieaffair

blacktieaffair — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:09:54 +0000

Lots of silly talk here. Avioli may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t be critical of this decision. Betfair is doing lots of exchange wagering on the Breeders’ Cup whether anyone likes it or not, and has been for years. As part of an effort to further open international pools and, dare we say it, grow the market for American racing, Avioli has done a rational business deal — get a piece of the action AND open US common pools to Betfair’s 2.5 million customers.

A lot of the anger here is from people who are regular knockers of everything or are generally pissed at the state of the bloodstock market and the racing industry itself — neither of which can rationally be blamed on Avioli or the Breeders’ Cup.

Also, just because you nominated a foal, you don’t have a right to know every detail of every business deal the Breeders’ Cup makes — at least not if you want the organization to be successful. Transparency is one thing, but if everyone knows what everyone else is paying, the Breeders’ Cup is screwed when it tries to cut competitive deals — whether that’s in wagering revenue, host-track agreements, sponsorships, etc…

By: Maury E.

Maury E. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:16:41 +0000

Cale, you are whining with hysterical rhetoric. Because you believe Avioli has not in your mind lead very well, everything he does must be wrong???????

I haven’t seen any thing of any substance posted by you here. And calling me clueless is evidence that it is you who is clueless. But I don’t know that for a fact, because of all your hysterical rhetoric.

I’m sure you know something. Everyone does.

By: Don Reed

Don Reed — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:05:52 +0000

WOW! This is a very big deal, particularly the co-mingled bet pools aspect of it.

Could it be that someone(s) in racing finally go it right?

One can only dream.

As to whether or not Avioli can compete with the wit of a chimp, we will first have to find a primate willing to degrade himself by entering into such a contest.

By: Cale B

Cale B — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:03:46 +0000

Maury E you’re clueless.

Exchange wagering in and of itself is not the devil here I believe it holds great promise for our industry if introduced the proper way. The lack of transparency allows a potentially negative precedent to be set which could leave Betfair in the driver’s seat for years to come.

Greg Avioli hardly has the most positive track record of leadership. So having the ability to review the details and assess the value or damage to our Industry is a MUST. I say boycott the Breeders Cup nomination and foal registration fees until the details of this deal see the light of day. If this is all positive to our Industry then why don’t all owners, breeders, trainers, fans have the right to see what the Breeders Cup just did?

Let’s embrace change but let’s do it in a thoughtful conscious transparent way.

By: Maury E.

Maury E. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:34:13 +0000

This is a great deal for North American racing. Anyone who sees it differently hasn’t a clue.
I’m not sure that this a great deal for Betfair though. They have made it because of low commissions. Their players last longer and churn. The odd customer is a winner, and many winners love to brag.

Now Betfair is tempting it customers to blow their money into the high takeout parimutuel pools. It could lead to Betfair’s decline or at least stagnate their decline. Their customers may wind up with less churn money and start getting turned off playing, or they will be forced to take longer breaks which is disastrous for growth.