Monthly Archives: September 2010

The latest on the BetFair float

- High-rolling clients of Betfair, the betting exchange plotting an audacious £1bn-plus float, have been targeted by the Inland Revenue. – Online betting exchanges such as Betfair have revolutionised the industry — but helped destructive betting compulsions develop. Via Niall … Continue reading

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Quants: The Alchemists of Wall Street – [VIDEO]

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Sports Risk Index would allow you to hedge risks on sport prediction markets.

The patent. The latest developments. (audio) I am skeptical, since the US Congress has just outlawed movie prediction markets, but I wish good luck to Chris Rabelais et al. Maybe the political scene will be different next year, who knows. … Continue reading

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Jason Trost on BetFair: They haven’t innovated much, and they’re too pricey.

Jason Trost: Slow innovation: Aside from a few cosmetic tweaks, reliability improvements and the Starting Price feature, Betfair hasn’t innovated much over the last few years. For a company that boasts several hundred developers, it should be able to release … Continue reading

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If prediction markets are such a powerful tool, then why aren’t we able to use them to solve [INSERT YOUR FAVORITE WORLD PROBLEM HERE]?

Justin Wolfers is asked the question, but I would have a different answer than his. The reason prediction markets are not widely used in business is that their many boosters (Robin Hanson, James Surowiecki, Justin Wolfers, etc.) have exaggerated their … Continue reading

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A somewhat simplistic, but nonetheless interesting, article in which the predictive quality of the BetFair market is slagged off, because it upsets their traditional form book study methods (by implication, of course, if they are right, then everybody could/should/would just follow the late money and win).

Niall O’Connor offers you this link for free.

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It is now legal in the UK to lay down your own horses. – [Industry Jurisprudence]

- In the Harry Finlay case, the BHA appeal panel says that in its view, “a clear distinction needs to be drawn between a lay bet placed as part of a corrupt practice or even conspiracy and a betting strategy … Continue reading

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Ex-BetFair Mark Davies on sport corruption and betting fraud

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