16/5/2003 edition

"Betfair Braces for a Fight"

Following the article headed "Exchanges doomed" in Rod Nicholson's "Rails Run" column in Melbourne's Sunday Herald Sun, May 4, 2003 Betfair Director of Communications Mark Davies contacted Rod Nicholson.

To his credit Rod Nicholson presented a balanced article titled "Betfair braces for a fight" in Melbourne's Sunday Herald Sun, May 11, 2003.

In the article were reasons from Mark Davies why Betfair should be permitted to operate here.

1. TAB projections of a substantial loss of revenue were massively overstated.

2. Racing authorities should see Betting Exchanges as an opportunity.

3. Betfair is prepared to pay a licence fee, is prepared to pay taxes, employ staff in Australia and contribute to Australian racing.

4. Australian racing would benefit by bringing in an international audience.

5. British racing is currently benefiting by Betfair's betting on Australian racing. Similarly Australian racing would benefit from Australians betting on overseas racing.

6. The British government last week came down in favour of Betfair after similar arguments to the TABs about substantial loss of revenue was mounted by the bookmakers.

7. Betfair believes that it can be a win-win situation with both Australian racing and the punter benefiting.

Our view is that betting exchanges will lead to a huge increase in betting turnover. Betting exchanges will attract new bettors and an international betting audience.

This should mean that racing is also a net winner, not a loser. Astute punters will also be winners with 95% to 97% of the pool returned.

This edition of Punt to Win:
Betfair betting exchange braces for a fight
Gold Coast bookmaker betting odds
It can't win because of the barrier - it's a betting myth
Betting favourites in small fields
Handicapping tips - weight and class
Money talks - Rosehill betting tips from the track
Money talks - Moonee Valley betting tips from the track
Money talks - Gold Coast betting tips from the track
Money talks - Morphettville betting tips from the track
Future winners - unlucky horses
Punt to Win 9/5/2003
Punt to Win index

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