Q&A – Colin Cameron Author – 'You Bet – ANSWERS

[TheThrowback]

Non-triers prior to the advent of betting exchanges?

Surely not?

Mind you, that Flockton Grey was one big f*cker for a 2yo.

[cormack15]

I’ll be sending the questions to Colin but in the meantime here is a link to a recent review of his book for those interested –

http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14030153

[Prufrock]

Does the author feel there is an opening for a book about Betfair that concentrates less on the business side of things – fascinating though that is – and more on the myriad human interest stories that have arisen as a result of it?

Another book? Isn’t one enough?! Seriously, the difficulty with books on gambling is that – let’s be honest, here – we folk are not always, how can I say this, absolutely candid about what we have won and what we have (whisper it) lost. A book that considers the impact the company has had on individuals may lack the authenticity required of publishers. My book on Betffair is, to me, a human interest story. With past books, on finishing and publication – for example, the History of Harrods – I have wanted to get as far away from the subject as possible. With Betfair, the story is still hugely compelling. And ongoing (as some of the answers here reflect).But fundamentally, Betfair is a story about two people and one idea. Plenty of human interest in that.

[cormack15]

Many thanks to Colin for his giving TRF members the opportunity to ask a few questions and for his comprehensive answers. If the answers give rise to further questions feel free to ask them – I’m sure Colin will be happy to respond.

The book is available through Amazon – http://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Bet-Betfair-Changed-Gambling/dp/0007277016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1248777276&sr=8-1

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Colin Cameron – Author of ‘You Bet’

[thedarkknight]

Thanks to Colin for those answers. Have to confess I haven’t actually read the book as yet , but will endeavour to do so in the near future…

[Prufrock]

Excellent answers, Colin. They have shed even more light on many of the aspects covered in your book.

I had to chortle at your response to TDK:

I suppose you have to ask yourself, in the past when you spotted an overpriced runner then were kicked back by your bookmaker, was life any better?

[thedarkknight]

….it kind of missed the point though. Bookmakers are far less willing to lay sizeable bets these days than they were in the pre-exchange era and the fact that everyone can look at and react to prices on the exchanges is a hugely significant reason why this is the case imo.

[Drone]

Thanks for some thought-provoking answers; I might even buy your book

what is the guarantee that any Tote endeavour including an exchange would be well run? Based on the Tote’s history, who can be sure? A Tote exchange run by Betfair? Might work?A Tote exchange run by Woodrow Wyatt? Mmmm.

A Tote Exchange run by head-hunted Betfair executives uneasy with the way their exchange model is evolving would be my pie-in-the-sky wish.

As you rightly say the Tote’s record in the areas of business acumen and innovation has tended to lack a certain oomph

[dave jay]

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions Colin.

.. as you say there’s a lot of irony in it .. a very lot ..

[Cav]

Thanks Colin. Look forward to reading your book.

[Seagull]

Colin
Thanks for taking the time and effort to post all the replies. It gives even more insight to the company.

On the subject of a stock market float I should imagine that even in today’s economic climate there will no no shortage of subscribers.

[Author]

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