Firstly, that is not the full story from Betfair. Dig further and you'll find more.

Secondly, Betfair's claim here can easily be challenged.

I provide considerable liquidity and commission to Betfair.

My infrastructure consumption per market would be much lower than that of many losers. Particularly since I could not indulge in in-running markets.

And until now I rarely withdrew any funds.

So according to Betfair, the Premium Charge should not apply to me.

But it does in spades.

So how can Betfair's claim be correct?

Note also that it costs Betfair next to nothing to service me. I avoid having contact with it.

That is I never now contact its service segments or managers because I know how slim the chances are of getting anything rectified.

Yet I generate considerable commission for it.

So Betfair are way, way, way ahead in their servicing of me.

So how can Betfair's claim be correct?

It isn't a claim, it is an excuse by the sharp minds in Betfair Towers to generate revenue without actually increasing commission structure for losers who are attracted to better odds, so it will help with the price of the IPO.

Unfortunately, the finance team forgot to talk to the marketing team.

It's not a very good implementation, but the sharp minds at Betfair have outdone themselves with brilliance.

I don't support it in any way, and it will probably drive me away quite soon, but it is brilliant.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars pushed through the exchange on every UK race, yet effectively Betfair are making a flat 5%.

Now they'll be making a cumulative 5%.

The bottom line is enormous.

To save some time for all, here is Betfair's real reason:

Charming.

"Servicing customers also includes the cost of replacing liquidity that has been taken out by customers with an extremely high success rate. Unfortunately, the cost to acquire and retain new customers continues to increase and we want to ensure that the Betfair exchange continues to thrive by being vibrant and liquid."


Winners are blamed for losers disappearing! Why is it our fault?

If I knew whether I was matching a winner or a loser life would be so much easier. But I don't.

But go where??? :( :(

Dillema for most. Betdaq aren't in a rush on adding aussie races, and I thought Robert Nason was not surprisingly very disappointing on Racing Retro last Sunday. The question was asked 'would Tabcorp consider implementing a betting exchange'. It's not on the radar, as well as his head-in-the-sand comment about still having reservations of the 'integrity' of it all

I'll probably have to go back to the bookies I think.
I'll also have to change my whole modus operandi.

But I won't be going to BDaq unless they can offer something apart from reduced commission that value adds to what I do now.

Michaelg and Mark, I wish I could *scream* it from the rooftops,.../.. but I can't sorry; I just cant risk having the door SLAMMED shut, I'll just say that I fly FIRST CLASS, and stay in 5 star................ for free!

PS And I'm nowhere near as successful punter as many here!

Consider this gem from Betfair support (from the allowance thread at the Betfair forum).

"However, the 1000 allowance would have already come into play around 59 weeks ago."

Now if this is true, it means that many customers who were historically not affected by the charge, and have nearly used up their allowance will get charged on the 1st live week. All they need to get charged is an above average week.

So the proportion of affected customers will immediately grow.

I can hardly wait until tomorrow when customers' charges will be revealed, to find the furore from formerly unaffected customers now getting slugged.

A number of flaming comments. Post deleted. Moderator.