Bookie Q

We speak with Anthony Kaminskas, Founder of AK BETS, about the continuous problem of feeds in the bookmaker industry.


Having released as a rails bookie in 2021, then relocating to an online sportsbook quickly after, problems regarding the quality of feeds are a constant discomfort point for AK BETS, just like many other bookies. Here, we discuss the issue and what can be done as a result.


OLBG: Can you break down the primary issues that you have as a bookmaker with feeds? In an ideal world what should they be like?


AK: There are only a handful of feed companies in the industry and all will be approaching pricing from different angles. My background is Risk & Trading, in addition to pro betting, and, more laterly, bookmaking. I 'd be really particular about my requirements from a feed both in-play and pre-off since the appropriate circulation of margin is important. And I have not yet encountered a feed that is properly factoring in altering bookie costs by item. This absence of dynamism is frustrating for me as an operator as I'm expected to bake a cake without all the essential components.


OLBG: How huge (or little) is the issue of quantity over quality?


AK: The industry has actually progressed to worth amount more than quality and my belief is that it's gone way too far. It's now pure amount, producing too lots of acquired markets nobody desires or bets on. The sweet area for me is reigning back amount and including a little bit more quality into the mix.


OLBG: What makes a feed bad? Who takes advantage of them being the method that they are?


AK: Feed prices that doesn't precisely element in altering bookie costs by product is initially bad for the bookmaker who needs to soak up these . What's bad for the goose is eventually bad for the glimpse with the ripple effect being a poor experience for clients - be it rates, stake limits or account closures.


OLBG: How does this affect your organization model?


AK: It's difficult to put a number on it, but provided our size at present we are forced to work within these restraints with little alternative of enhancing something we believe isn't excellent enough. We can just lead our horses to water, we can't make them drink.


OLBG: And how does it impact your relationship/dealings with other stakeholders? (Partners, affiliates, rivals etc)


AK: Very little result per se. We calculate what we want to pay for a deal considering all variables and it depends on others whether they wish to deal or no deal. Regarding competitors everybody is basically using the exact same four or 5 feeds for most sports so there's little differentiation, especially in-play. We incentivise our customers with our Big Prices tab, instant withdrawals, fast client service and our totally free bet clubs, all of which sit outdoors fundamental prices feeds.


OLBG: What impact would better feeds have on punters?


AK: It would give bookmakers more self-confidence in their rates which, in turn, implies less barriers to customers positioning a bet without friction.


OLBG: You've spoken about developing your own feed - how practical is that?


AK: I've had a couple of discussions with people about this over the last month. My background remains in trading and professional betting. My computer system skills are close to absolutely no. I can open and mess around with Excel which has to do with it. But I 'd be extremely anal about my price feed requirements and how to optimise them. I basically require somebody I can bark at to build what I desire.


OLBG: Do you believe that's something other bookmakers should consider?


AK: I believe pricing precision has ended up being lesser gradually in an industry that's gotten a little lazy about the fundamentals. These questions get a little untidy when you start factoring in information and rights holders. But I'm enthusiastic about precise, optimised prices throughout the life cycle of a market and believe the market leaves a lot of crumbs on the table by not focusing on this topic more.


OLBG: Do you believe they would have an interest in one that you constructed?


AK: For sure. It's all about the bottom line at the end of the day.


OLBG: Do you see this changing the brief to mid term future?


AK: Simply put, no I don't. That's what's resulted in me talking about constructing our own.