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William Hill
PinnacleWhy can’t we be friends? That’s how the song goes, but it seems that most of the betting industry doesn’t really seem to be singing from the same song sheet. If there is a row going on it frequently seems to involve William Hill in some context. This is in my view partly because they are a big, big player and have an in-your-face approach to marketing, and also because CEO Ralph Topping also seems very keen to dig out Betfair on every opportunity in his blog! I for one love all the furores in the betting industry, as it shows that everyone is passionate, and that all the bookmakers are in competition with each other. From a punters point of view this can only be a good thing. Just look at the cut-their-own-throat offers that we enjoyed during the Cheltenham Festival!
Ladbrokes and Coral PR men complain
The latest tiff is in regard William Hill claiming that the £100k at 1/5 bet laid about BigBucks taking Aintree’s Grand National meeting staying hurdle is the largest bet ever struck in a betting shop. The other two members of the traditional “big three” are claiming that the details are too wool. This is I believe in regard that it wasn’t divulged whether this was a cash bet, or more likely a credit bet struck in Will Hill’s flagship Park Lane branch.
The war of words saw Coral‘s PR Man David Stevens claiming:
“One betting firm is out on its own with the publicity tactics it’s pursuing,” adding “At least the rest of us have semblance of truth in what we claim.”
David Williams from Ladbrokes pitched in with:
“This is irresponsible, it’s out of hand!”
I have been involved in the betting industry since the late 90’s and have in that time worked for a on course bookmaker (at now much missed Catford Dogs), spent time at a leading spread betting company, and worked for Betfair in their two year start-up phase.
In 2007 I co-founded iGaming supplier Hyperion Gaming with long suffering business partner Alex Lafferty.
Being involved in the industry for so long has given me a good understanding of the wonderful world of online gambling, and I put effort into giving honest opinions, that remain my own!
