Are bookies taking the piss with in-play betting?

[The Reverend]

I only ever really bet in play with spread betting (where I've not had this sort of issue) and Betfair, where the delay is understandable (although I don't trust them at all generally). I have just been trying to bet on the US open final at William Hill, on Djokovich, and there was a good 5 second delay before the bet was declined, happed again, both times as he got points, then accepted (at worse odds) when Murray won a point.

It's not totally clear cut, but it seems to me that if a bookmaker is offering odds in-play, they shouldn't have 5 seconds + to decide whether to take a bet or not. It's almost certain they have a faster feed, if not even having someone watching it live in person, than the punter.

It appears they are adjusting odds with the average client lagging a likely 10 seconds behind, on major events.

Anyone work for a sportsbook that does in-play betting online to comment?

[The Reverend]

And wow this is a great match.

[evelyn]

There is a problem now with in-play betting because people at the event can get their bets in before anyone else knows what's happening (most of the TV transmissions are on delay these days). Maybe the bookies/exchanges delay the bet placement to counter this.

[The Dean]

[the shiver]

[brighton32]

In play betting always been very tough

[The Reverend]

Understandable for exchanges to have market suspended and a delay on bets being registered, but entirely different with a bookmakers.

I would expect a bookmaker to offer markets in play if they have people there. I don't know how it works in reality, but I can't believe odds setters are watching via satellite with 10 seconds delay or whatever for major events. To do so would give a huge advantage to someone at the event. If they are just putting a delay on because they aren't there, then it puts those (the majority) betting in play whilst watching on TV at a huge disadvantage.

In football, not so important, in tennis, very much so. On Betfair, my bet would be matched at a higher price after the delay also, if the market moved that way. Does this happen at a bookies? All I saw was bets being refused, not matched at higher prices.

Effectively WH get to set the odds, and then decline the bet if the next point is in the puntors favour.