Betfair Accounts

[PeterLe]

I tried to log into one of my betfair accounts this morning to extract the bet history to analyse a new strategy ive been working on.
I got the a message saying "Your account has been suspended"

Anyone else get the same message?

Now I have had these accounts since about 2007? All declared and linked for PC etc, none of them trade against each other.
The reason I liked having separate accounts is because it allows you to run multiple strategies on the same markets without distorting the bet history and P&L.
I dont mind paying PC and have never attempted to circumnavigate it. In fact I welcome it.

I gave up ringing the main betfair number after a couple of hours as it is constantly engaged. (Betfair you really need to sort this out, its a joke to be honest).
I got through to someone via their chat who told me that 2 of my three accounts had been suspended as you can now only have one (ive had three for nearly 8 years). You cant really talk properly to a "Chat Window", so abandoned that idea

What has really annoyed me about this is that they could have dropped me an email a couple of days ago to tell me this was happening, as I now I cant access my bet history etc

What does this mean for me and betfair.
For me: I can no longer use my own accounts to compare and contrast strategies.

For Betfair: Well Im no big player, but I was pushing millions through on automation/per month at my peak. So they will lose liquidity

In contrast: Last week I was fortunate enough to meet some of the Betdaq Account managers at Ascot.
They are a really nice bunch of guys and doing everything they can to bring people to their exchange. If they can get SP working soon, Im going to move some of my strategies immediately. I really do hope you guys take a large chunk of their market share.

Sorry had to get that off my chest and hope betfair read this. Its not so much what you've done, its the manner in which you go about your business

Betdaq - I genuinely wish I could move to your exchange

[spreadbetting]

They brought in some terms about only being allowed one account ages ago but don't think they enforced it fully. I've still got a couple of accounts with only one having access to a AUS wallet.

It's a pity the don't allow all accounts to have access to create master and sub accounts but that privelege seems to be granted only to the chosen few.

[PeterLe]

I just had a look through my email account...
This was on the 2nd feb 2013 and in response to my email to them asking if I could retain three accounts..

Dear Peter,
Thank you for your e-mail.

It is fine to use your 3 accounts on the exchange. But only one account can be used for any bets placed on the sports book or multiple bets. Please can confirm which account your would like to have on your sports book wallet on.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further enquiries.

Kind regards,

(Name removed)

Betfair Helpdesk


Im going to email them back now
Regards
Peter

[xitian]

This is very concerning indeed. I too have had multiple accounts for quite a few years. Mine are very active though, and have quite a lot of money in them. Peter, were you using all your accounts everyday?

I had been told that they had changed the policy of allowing multiple accounts in favour of a master/subaccount system, but like others, I assumed that was just for new account holders. I didn't think they would bother enforcing the policy for legacy accounts.

I guess I better contact someone about migrating over. I was previously told you can have separate accounts for bet tracking purposes though, but just that they get funded through a master/sub system. What a hassle! I'm also not sure what the implications are for net commission and discount rate across sub accounts.

[PeterLe]

Hi Xitan
They did say that they would refund the money from each of the accounts (so I guess no worry on that front).
Yes I used these accounts each and every day (simultaneous), quite often on different market type eg UK Horse racing, UK Greyhounds, AUS too
Regards
Peter

PS I was talking earlier to another traded and I mentioned that Im not a Betfair VIP, not sure if you are but that might make a difference?

[xitian]

Peter, also just wondering if you had been assigned an account manager by Betfair in the past, and whether you have tried contacting them to try and resolve the matter? They might be more helpful than the help desk, but then again maybe not!

[Dallas]

Another classic case of betfair sticking there fingers up at long standing volume customers who play everything by the book.

When did they suspend your account have you had any problems with getting funds from them?

I also use more than one account for much the same reasons as you specified as it just means my record keeping is much easier and tider and saves me hours seperating everything.

PW kindly invited me to the Betdaq event at Ascot last friday but unfortunetly I was not able to attend but would of liked the chance to meet some of the managment - like you and probebly everyone else I really hope for the time Betdaq can become more useable volume wise on a daily basis but must admit I am one of those guilty of only really putting money through on the major meets and when BF goes down.

Having said that betdaq recent outage problems have nt done them no favours

Ps edit - just seen the reply you just gave about withdrawals

[xitian]

Yes, I was gonna mention that too. I have no idea whether I am a vip or not. I don't think I have ever officially been notified. I was contacted by an "account manager" in the past though, but I haven't spoken to him in over 2 years I think.

I'm surprised you don't fall into the vip category given how active you are in the markets.

[PeterLe]

Peter, also just wondering if you had been assigned an account manager by Betfair in the past, and whether you have tried contacting them to try and resolve the matter? They might be more helpful than the help desk, but then again maybe not!

Hi - No Ive not had an account manager. Ill try and give them another call
At least Ive not lost any money (and like you, there are significant funds in there too, so it spooked me a lttle this morning!)

[LinusP]

Peter send an email to bdp, Neil gave me permission to have more than one. I then told the help desk this and they changed their mind. The rules seem to apply depending on who you are and who you know. They need to more consistent if you ask me.

[PeterLe]

thanks Liam,
that's a good idea. Neil has helped me out over the years
I'll try that on Monday
regards
Peter

[steven1976]

Why do bf allow old customers to keep multiple accounts anyway if they have done away with allowing it for newer accounts?

[Euler]

If they wanted to promote wider use of the exchange they would allow people to have as many as they wished. After all, for the purposes of charging, they seem pretty good at picking up linked accounts.

The stupid thing is by imposing draconian policies all that happens is people find a way around it, so the problem isn't solved in the long term anyhow. It's a waste of time and effort on everybodies behalf. But I guess at least somebody hit their target.

[megarain]

I have a master account, that had 12 sub accounts.

When BF asked u to sign a form, acknowledging each user was verified by KYC, I stopped using all bar 1. This was, maybe 8 mths ago.

I got a call 10 days ago, from my account manager, saying hey we're getting heat from the gambling commission, and would like to understand why I Needed 12 accounts .. Not unreasonable, so, I close all bar 2.

I don't think BF cover themselves in glory with their comms at times, but, this time, I couldn't fault them.

[steven1976]

Betfair call customers and advise they are getting heat from an external monitoring authority. You cant make that stuff up.