BDP on the Warpath

[James1st]

Last week I received an email from Betfair (BDP)....

"With regret, we have restricted your Betfair account and delayed your Exchange data. The delay is in accordance with our Terms and Conditions; in particular the intellectual property clauses with reference to Betfair data. "
v: ... your account’s ‘public market data’ usage (‘public market data’ includes market prices, traded Volumes and market depth) could represent ‘business usage’ .

To clarify, I use both the live BetAngel service to trade whilst at the same time (under a different user) I run the BetAngel Practice mode to draw charts (used in the live trading) and I also use Excel to submit automated bets (2-3 per race) in Practice mode. All pretty standard stuff using Practice mode.

I wrote to BDP explaining how I used Practice mode in BetAngel and received the following reply.....

"Live data is not permitted for testing and analysis purposes. If you would like to use our data for testing or analysis, you must use historical data services."

For those of you who use Practice mode, you may want to take note.

[marksmeets302]

One of my accounts is used exclusively for gathering data, never had any problems.

I do place a bet on that account every couple of months to avoid it being marked inactive...

[PeterLe]

Hi James
Ive been hammering the exchange since the 20 req was lifted (sometimes upto five instances at once, 24 hours/day three in my name and a couple on another username (strictly no bets between accounts etc)

Ive often run upto 1500 tx/Hour and although Ive been waiting for a similiar email, Ive had nothing, no charges either.

Have you thought about taking it off practice mode and using real (albeit) small bets? Maybe that would make a difference?

Regards
Peter

[steven1976]

Why do you put in the practice mode bets of 2-3 a race? I have a feeling it maybe to do with this. Maybe when entering practice mode bets they are being seen by the api and your real account are placing other trades at the same time?

[James1st]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The Practise mode is there to develop strategies that, if successful, add to my live trading. So its simply a case of doing 2 jobs at once...live trading and testing new strategies.

I have been doing this for quite some time and I do alternate the role of each account. The account that BDP has restricted was last used on the live system in July, so about 6 weeks ago.

I can perform exactly the same functions on a single account, 2 instances of the same user and that is perfectly acceptable to Betfair....but I figure they are scrutinising the use of "their" data a lot closer now especially where no live bets are placed.

Its an issue for anyone solely using an account in Practice mode.

[Euler]

It's shame I didn't see this earlier as I have just come out of a meeting with them!

Though I should add, it's not new. We get a lot of queries relating to this.

[James1st]

I did write to you last week Peter. If you had an input, I pass on my thanks.

Anyway, I asked them to review my accounts again and received this reply...

Hi,

We have reviewed your account and we can understand the purpose of your trading methods.
We have linked your accounts together internally so we will regard your accounts as one customer in the future.

Your override on your data will be removed and you can receive real-time data again.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Kind Regards,

Betfair Developer Program

[Euler]

I did write to you last week Peter. If you had an input, I pass on my thanks.

Didn't see it, not sure where you sent it?

[bennyboy351]

I've said it before and I'll repeat it here: Betfair are trying it on! They are the biggest show in town and are trying to squeeze every last penny out of traders!

It remains to be seen what happens with this 'merger' but in my humble opinion, it'll end up as a right f*ck-up!

Funny isn't it, you exceed your 'limit' and you're restricted. They provide a sh*t video link service and there's no redress!

Reckon I'mm going to start looking for pastures new.......

[PeterLe]

We have linked your accounts together internally so we will regard your accounts as one customer in the future.
[/i]

I thought they did that automatically>? Was they both your accounts James?

[James1st]

They do PeterLe, they are and they did so in the past.

Say no more

[marksmeets302]

Check what happens to your betfair points. If they are aggregated as well, that's a win.

My accounts are merged for computing PC, but the betfair points are not...