Probably because it's in the terms and conditions of softbooks like Sportsbet that they can close anyone's account if they have used a VPN on their site.Thosefoxpeople wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2024 2:53 pmThis is total speculation on my part, but I wonder if Betfair AU have been hit with a fine or an order from the NTRC and have been a bit blindsided by it.
All other Australian bookmakers (certainly all the majors) have geo blocking software and VPN detection and will stop you from logging in if you are using a VPN. Betfair in the past have generally ignored AU customers who use a VPN/VPS to circumvent in play restrictions, and according to a previous poster, actively encourage you in finding ways to circumvent the law. If I was a bookmaker I'd be suitably pissed that I was being forced to comply with a law that BF customers were openly flouting.
I speculate that they have cut VPS/VPN access while they assess their legal obligations. And I think it may well have been a competitor that dobbed them in.
Will remove my tinfoil hat now!
Much more profitable to allow a person to use their site with a VPN while their losing money, and then in the event that they have a big win, just close their account and seize all their money.
Betfair wouldn't benefit as much by doing this, as it would have a trickle-on effect of reducing the liquidity in the market, and then reduce the customer satisfaction of everyone else.