Bookmaker News – Decimal Trial Fails to Excite Bookmakers

The much-vaunted trial of decimal odds at Ascot this week has proved a resounding flop according to rails bookmakers involved in the experiment. Described individually as a ‘failure’ and an ‘absolute disaster’, instead of de-mystifying traditional odds like 11/8 and 4/7, the trial appears to have caused more confusion than clarity and participating layers reported takings massively down on what they would normally expect on a busy day at one of the country’s leading tracks, with most bookmakers complaining they were losing out when situated next to rivals trading at traditional odds. The experiment had been initiated by Racing For Change, the body set up to increase public awareness of the thrills of horse racing and help drag the sport into the 21st century. Decimal odds was the first public trial of RFC‘s credentials and it appears they’ve badly misjudged the bounce of the ball on this occasion. We await the next offbeat idea to role off the production line with interest!

William Hill have reported an increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2010 but everything in the garden is still far from rosy. While the online share has increased, over the counter takings continue to falter in line with most high-street bookmakers. I must admit I don’t frequent betting shops anymore, the online market is far more accessible and lucrative. But I have noticed, walking past my local LBO en route for my lunchtime cheese and broccoli pastie, that the chief attraction nowadays are the fruit machines which is reflected in William Hill‘s results, namely a nine per cent increase in the use of said gaming terminals. Talking of the high street, have you heard the one about the Catholic church that has its confessional box sponsored by a bookmaker? No, it’s not the first line of a politically incorrect joke! Our Lady & St Etheldreda Church in Newmarket has signed a £10,000 deal with Paddy Power which enables the Dublin-based bookmaker to emblazon its logo on green curtains which section off the confessional box, which the local priest has named ‘The Sin Bin’. Obviously, it’s the perfect place for chastened punters to ask for forgiveness after blowing the week’s housekeeping at HQ, but whether they’ll appreciate seeing a possible of the cause of their woes advertising its services in the eyes of God is open to debate.