TimeForm-i = BetFair’s innovative TimeForm = UK horse racing publication
Deep Throat November 4th, 2007
UK-based prediction exchange (betting exchange) BetFair will launch this week a new horse racing product —TimeForm-i. (Yes, that is TimeForm-i —with an “i” on the end… like “innovative”, “insightful”, “informative”, and “interactive”.)
TimeForm-i will seek to leverage the TimeForm product directly into the space that is currently occupied by The Racing Post’s website. This represents the first potential onslaught between Betfair with TimeForm (bought for around £15m) and the new owners of The Racing Post (bought for £190m).
The question of BetFair starting prices may represent another one. The Racing Post currently reproduces traditional industry SPs alongside Tote prices. But will its advertisers, the traditional bookmakers, allow it to also publish the BetFair SPs?? —unlikely. Since The Racing Post is also published in Ireland and France, such a decision could be deemed to be anti-competitive under European law —not least, in simple terms, because it would server to deprive the consumer of information pertaining to the best prices.
Signed: Deep Throat
UPDATE: TimeForm-i
