If the opponents of Betfair want it banned on the basis that the integrity of racing and sport is undermined, then they should also lobby bookmakers and TAB's to stop betting on the following events,

1. All head to head sporting events where there are only two results possible e.g. football games, tennis matches etc
2. Trifecta betting on 4 horse fields. Take the fave out in some nefarious way and box the other three and you've nailed it.
3. Superfecta betting on 7 horse races. Remember the Colouresque/Gleeson brothers scandal at Harold Park in the '90's? For those who don't, there is a 7 horse field in a Superfecta race. Leading driver Chris Gleeson is behind the 1.40 favourite Colouresque. Chris's brother boxes the other 6 in a Superfecta. Amazingly, the gear breaks (after it was later discovered being tampered with) and Colouresque is pulled out during the race. Brother wins the $10K pool on his own.

The TAB itself sponsored a match race between Let's Elope and Better Loosen Up creating the precise scenario that they now claim is causing corruption.

Bookmakers by nature lay horses every race. The ability to place a bet anonymously and in cash with an on-course bookmaker provides a perfect environment for race fixers to carry out their business. At least Betfair is all money up front between people who can be traced if necessary.

Those who worry about racing not being funded properly by Betting Exchanges clearly only listen to the krapola from Sky Channel and the TAB affiliated newspapers without checking some realities out themselves. Why is it not possible for betting exchanges to contribute to racing? Has anyone looked at a model that will work? Has anyone from the TAB ever showed concern that the percentage of gambling dollars spent on racing is a third of what it was pre sports betting and casinos? Has it ever occurred to them that people today expect more than the garbage that the TAB serves up? Has it every occurred to them that betting exchanges will bring new money to racing thus increasing the financial benefits to the industry?

If anyone can find a punter who respects his money yet bets with the TAB because it is "for the good of racing", I'll ride the Melbourne Cup winner. It's like the "buy Australian" push. I'll do it if I'm not being ripped off. Unfortunatley, the TAB has been ripping punters off for years and now it's coming back to bite them. Their answer ... ban the opposition. It is really pathetic and so are the morons who support such an ideology.