Sport is made for betting

It's getting rather messy in South Korea, the imaginatively named K-League has been infested with match-fixing and now the government is getting involved. K-League faces shutdown threat over match-fixing scandal SEOUL, Jun 30 (Reuters) - South Korea's government has threatened to "shut down" the country's professional soccer league after losing patience with an embarrassing match-fixing scandal, which is in danger of spiralling out of control. Clubs whose players are found guilty of being involved in match-fixing have been warned they face expulsion from Korea's domestic competition, local media reported on Thursday. "If K-League players are caught trying to throw matches from this July, their teams will be forced out of the league," Park Sun-kyoo, Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism told South Korea's Yonhap news agency. "We will also consider shutting down the K-League in the worst-case scenario." I was quoted i...

A lot to catch up on after my recent time away, here are some of the stories making the news: The Australian Federal Government has promised a review of online gambling and might finally do away with the ridiculous ban on in-play betting online. But then again, they might not... Note the incorrect linking of Serie A matches with match-fixing for betting by the Australian Crime Commission. Full Tilt Poker's licence has been suspended with immediate effect by Alderney regulators. Was it their decision or did the Yanks have a word in their ear? Betfair are searching for a new CEO and analysts admit it is a "potential opportunity for improvement". Financial results for Betfair show profits up but revenue down . Punters are rallying against Betfair's decision to heftily increase the Premium Charge. Check out the Facebook group here. Poland has signed in their draconian gambling legislation banning all firms without a local licence. As a result, some firms, ...

Once upon a time, Betfair's best marketing line was 'Winners Are Welcome'. Not any more. In a desperate move to show the shaer market they have more options to increase their revenues, Betfair's biggest winners will be hit with an even higher Premium Charge rate. For full details, read here - Betfair Premium Charge Hike details Realistically, how many people will it affect? A very small number. You've got to have done very well to win £250k after commission over the years. But what will it do to liquidity? Well, the people it will hurt are the elite level traders such as Mr Bet Angel. Peter Webb and the best of his genre. Traders lose infrequently, so thus are destined to pay less commission than your average winning punter. The big liquidity providers who market-make across the board will be hit - 40% commission on your gross profits is a stiff ask, you'd need some heavy losses mixed in there to sweeten them up. This comes on top of their less-publicised...

Off to the tennis today, got Centre Court tickets via the ballot for the best day of action at any Grand Slam tournament. You will find my preview of all today's action linked below.... Wimbledon action aplenty

I'm back after a refreshing break away after Royal Ascot, normal service will resume shortly.....

Unlikely to have time to do any form today, focusing on the Wimbledon previews instead. Having a 2yo race 'for progeny of stallions who have won over at least 1m2f' to open the day doesn't inspire betting - why not just say 'for horses bound to end up jumping'? Crap race to include in a what is generally a fantastic week of racing. Rain and the vagaries of the track make it prudent to bet late as the day unravels. In the Golden Jubilee, I'll be looking at Hooray and Amico Fritz. As a son of Aussie super sire Redoute's Choice, I like Elzaam, but it has Richard Hills aboard. Might as well just add another 10lbs to its weight! Hope Anne of Kiev goes well for Jeremy Gask in the Wokingham. The only mare in the race, she's a quality sprinter but this is tough. Who knows in the last two races - don't rule out Life And Soul in the Duke of Edinburgh.

Got killed by the rain yesterday, changed plans considerably and consequently had a poor day. Ignored all the hype about Brown Panther which turned out to be more than justified. He looks a very good type! Today is tough once again, but that's the beauty of the Royal meeting.... ALBANY STAKES With Judy The Beauty out, the clear favourite is Teolane. She has won her last two starts well in Ireland but I'm not convinced of her brilliance. Prepared to take her on at the price. The one I was most impressed with off the tapes was Inetrobil. Really nice turn of foot in a weak Redcar maiden. Highclere Thoroughbreds recognised the potential and bought into a share soon after. Ryan 2yos going well and Makin delivered a winner yesterday. Hidden Passion might go around at a big price. She was heavily backed on debut but didn't get out of the gates, and then ran on well at Haydock next time. Could be more to come from her. (NON-RUNNER) Ilaunglauss beat rubbish on debut at L...

Fantastic results on Wednesday with winners in the opening two races at 11/1 SP, with better prices available earlier or on Betfair. But absolutely gutted that So You Think was beaten, without even a penny on him. Awful tactics from Aiden O'Brien, employing a completely unnecessary pacemaker who then went too hard, got So You Think fired up and went for home on the turn. Backmakers need pacemakers, horses who sit up on the pace don't. I hate the concept of pacemakers with a passion, being able to determine the pace of a race sorts out the great jockeys from the good ones. There's nothing wrong at all with a horse like Dancing Rain winning the Oaks because her jockey did his homework and controlled the race from the front. Pacemakers do more harm than good. A great horse that needs everything served up on a plate for it isn't truly great.... NORFOLK STAKES Tough race here, big field of 2yos with plenty of scope for improvement. Bapak Chinta - won very easily at Ha...

A nice start to the week with Sweet Sanette running well for a gallant third at 16/1. Had the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th horses for the trifecta which paid a few grand, unfortunately Prohibit spoiled the party! JERSEY STAKES Tricky race this. The favourite Codemaster is very good, if not a little green still. Definitely enjoyed the step up to 7f last start, but does wobble around a bit. Fury drops back in trip after the Guineas and a run at Sandown where they walked for much of the race. Would rather be against him at the price. Havane Smoker ran 2nd in the French 2000 Guineas but had every chance in that race. Does now have Soumillon aboard though. Oracle has the AOB/Ryan Moore combination behind him. Ran 3rd in the Irish 2000 Guineas, was 25/1 that day and beat the fourth horse clearly. But he has won one race from nine starts, and funnily enough, his last race was his first in Group company. AOB may have finally found the key to him, but not for mine. Western Aristocrat - ver...