Long time lurker first time poster ... I have always been interested in the many posts discussing the real time line service marketplace or the apparent lack there of.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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So here is my two cents and see what you think:<o></o>
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I am amazed after reading so many threads that it seems to be that Don Best has an absolute strangle hold of the line service business ... even in this day and age of technology and competitive pressure within the sportsbooks you still have a situation where one company dictates to all. I guess this is due in part (or I should say, in whole) by some 'exclusive' agreements. I first wonder why a sportsbook would allow one company to use their (the sportsbooks) intellectual property to be the sole profiteer? Does Don Best pay these books for this juicy position? That would seem to be the only way I would see a sportsbook agreeing to this 'lock up'.<o></o>
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Anyway, here is what I think could or should happen - just my ideas from a individual amazed at the lack of choice. Now I don't want to make it look like I am blaming the books but it would seem to me that they have an incredible amount of power if they want to use it.
The sportsbook get their heads out of their proverbial butts and figure out they can make money at this and start to charge all subscribing 'vendors' that wish to supply real time odds software to their customers. Believe it or not, this is going on right now with the betting exchanges. In order to get the BetFair live feed from their exchange you need to pay them a yearly or monthly fee. What this does is opens the market for companies that can supply better customer service ... or better software ... or better prices etc... It also ensures that people who supply real time odds monitoring are the real deal, have paid for it and they are able to claim "Real time odds" ... how about a seal of approval or partner ID that gives proof the vendor is a real time line monitoring service provider. Each sportsbook could have a 'developers zone' that requires subscriptions and registration. Why aren't these books trying to make money at this? If Pinnacle had a $5000 per year fee and just ten providers signed up that $50K would definitely help with the cost of maintenance on a XML feed and the developer zone. <o></o>
Now Don Best may already pay these books to be exclusive but there has to come a time when the sportsbook step back and see the opportunity ... am I wrong? Does Don Best pay enough money to them that it keeps them happy?<o></o>
Like I stated earlier ... just an interested and frustrated observer. If I want real time live lines I HAVE to go to on supplier and like it. <o></o>
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What do you guys think of my idea? Am I way off base? Do you think it would fly?<o></o>
Thanks anyway and I hope to get a rousing discussion going<o></o>
Orbit<o></o>
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p.s. And I guess before any flaming begins ... I should emphatically state that I am not that Mike fella from a competing service ... I just think there is a better way than the current model.
fficeffice" /><o></o>So here is my two cents and see what you think:<o
></o><o
></o>I am amazed after reading so many threads that it seems to be that Don Best has an absolute strangle hold of the line service business ... even in this day and age of technology and competitive pressure within the sportsbooks you still have a situation where one company dictates to all. I guess this is due in part (or I should say, in whole) by some 'exclusive' agreements. I first wonder why a sportsbook would allow one company to use their (the sportsbooks) intellectual property to be the sole profiteer? Does Don Best pay these books for this juicy position? That would seem to be the only way I would see a sportsbook agreeing to this 'lock up'.<o
></o><o
></o>Anyway, here is what I think could or should happen - just my ideas from a individual amazed at the lack of choice. Now I don't want to make it look like I am blaming the books but it would seem to me that they have an incredible amount of power if they want to use it.
The sportsbook get their heads out of their proverbial butts and figure out they can make money at this and start to charge all subscribing 'vendors' that wish to supply real time odds software to their customers. Believe it or not, this is going on right now with the betting exchanges. In order to get the BetFair live feed from their exchange you need to pay them a yearly or monthly fee. What this does is opens the market for companies that can supply better customer service ... or better software ... or better prices etc... It also ensures that people who supply real time odds monitoring are the real deal, have paid for it and they are able to claim "Real time odds" ... how about a seal of approval or partner ID that gives proof the vendor is a real time line monitoring service provider. Each sportsbook could have a 'developers zone' that requires subscriptions and registration. Why aren't these books trying to make money at this? If Pinnacle had a $5000 per year fee and just ten providers signed up that $50K would definitely help with the cost of maintenance on a XML feed and the developer zone. <o
></o>Now Don Best may already pay these books to be exclusive but there has to come a time when the sportsbook step back and see the opportunity ... am I wrong? Does Don Best pay enough money to them that it keeps them happy?<o
></o>Like I stated earlier ... just an interested and frustrated observer. If I want real time live lines I HAVE to go to on supplier and like it. <o
></o><o
></o>What do you guys think of my idea? Am I way off base? Do you think it would fly?<o
></o>Thanks anyway and I hope to get a rousing discussion going<o
></o>Orbit<o
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></o>p.s. And I guess before any flaming begins ... I should emphatically state that I am not that Mike fella from a competing service ... I just think there is a better way than the current model.
