We talk to Anthony Kaminskas, Founder of AK BETS, about the ongoing problem of feeds in the bookie market.

Having released as a rails bookie in 2021, then moving to an online sportsbook soon after, problems relating to the quality of feeds are a consistent discomfort point for AK BETS, as with many other bookies. Here, we talk about the issue and what can be done as a result.

OLBG: Can you break down the primary concerns that you have as a bookmaker with feeds? In an ideal world what should they resemble?

AK: There are only a handful of feed providers in the industry and all will be approaching prices from various angles. My background is Risk & Trading, in addition to pro gambling, and, more laterly, bookmaking. I 'd be extremely specific about my requirements from a feed both in-play and pre-off due to the fact that the correct circulation of margin is necessary. And I haven't yet encountered a feed that is properly considering altering bookie expenses by item. This lack of dynamism is annoying for me as an operator as I'm expected to bake a cake without all the needed active ingredients.

OLBG: How big (or little) is the concern of quantity over quality?

AK: The industry has actually developed to worth quantity more than quality and my belief is that it's gone way too far. It's now pure amount, producing too lots of acquired markets nobody wants or bets on. The sweet spot for me is reigning back amount and adding a little bit more quality into the mix.

OLBG: What makes a feed bad? Who gains from them being the way that they are?

AK: Feed pricing that doesn't properly aspect in changing bookie expenses by item is at first bad for the bookmaker who needs to soak up these inefficiencies. What's bad for the goose is eventually bad for the glimpse with the knock-on effect being a poor experience for customers - be it rates, stake limits or account closures.

OLBG: How does this affect your business model?

AK: It's difficult to put a number on it, however provided our size at present we are forced to work within these constraints with little option of improving something we think isn't great enough. We can only lead our horses to water, we can't make them consume.

OLBG: And how does it impact your relationship/dealings with other stakeholders? (Partners, affiliates, rivals etc)

AK: Very little effect per se. We determine what we want to pay for a deal considering all variables and it's up to others whether they desire to deal or no offer. Regarding rivals everyone is basically utilizing the same 4 or 5 feeds for a lot of sports so there's little differentiation, especially in-play. We incentivise our customers with our Big Prices tab, instant withdrawals, quick customer service and our complimentary bet clubs, all of which sit outdoors basic rates feeds.

OLBG: What impact would much better feeds have on punters?

AK: It would offer bookies more confidence in their rates which, in turn, implies less barriers to clients positioning a bet without friction.

OLBG: You've discussed building your own feed - how realistic is that?

AK: I have actually had a couple of discussions with individuals about this over the last month. My background remains in trading and professional betting. My computer skills are close to absolutely no. I can open and mess around with Excel which has to do with it. But I 'd be very anal about my rate feed requirements and how to optimise them. I basically require someone I can bark at to develop what I want.

OLBG: Do you think that's something other bookies should think about?

AK: I believe prices precision has ended up being less crucial with time in an industry that's gotten a little lazy about the essentials. These concerns get a little unpleasant when you start factoring in information and rights holders. But I'm passionate about accurate, optimised prices throughout the life cycle of a market and think the market leaves too numerous crumbs on the table by not focusing on this subject more.

OLBG: Do you believe they would be interested in one that you developed?

AK: For sure. It's all about the bottom line at the end of the day.

OLBG: Do you see this changing the short to mid term future?

AK: In other words, no I do not. That's what's led to me going over developing our own.