Horse Racing: GET THE PICTURE?

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Dec 2, 2007

IT WAS curiously under-reported last week that SIS, the outfit that beams live pictures into the big bookies' shops, has got into very hot water with the Advertising Standards Authority, who judged their adverts to be "misleading".

This is all part of the bitter struggle between SIS and Turf TV over live action in the shops.

From January 30 pictures from courses - including many top ones - will not be available in the likes of Hills and Ladbrokes as the major players continue to show contempt for their customers by refusing to pay the commercial rate for the new picture service from Turf TV. Rumour has it that one of the Big Three is about to break ranks and so they should. The situation whereby punters are being plunged back into the dark ages of commentary only is indefensible.

If the big bookmakers have the slightest regard for their customers they must provide us with a proper basic service. If they fail to do so, it is proof they regard punters as a low form of life to be fleeced to the hilt.

Not all the PR and spin on the planet can disguise the fact that a big bookmaker who fails to show pictures is simply saying: "We despise you."