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We speak to Anthony Kaminskas, Founder of AK BETS, about the ongoing issue of feeds in the bookmaker industry.

Having launched as a rails bookmaker in 2021, then transferring to an online sportsbook quickly after, problems relating to the quality of feeds are a continuous pain point for AK BETS, similar to most other bookies. Here, we talk about the issue and what can be done as an outcome.

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

AK: There are only a handful of feed companies in the market and all will be approaching rates from different angles. My background is Risk & Trading, in addition to professional gambling, and, more laterly, bookmaking. I 'd be really specific about my requirements from a feed both in-play and pre-off due to the fact that the proper circulation of margin is vital. And I have not yet encountered a feed that is properly considering expenses by product. This absence of dynamism is irritating for me as an operator as I'm expected to bake a cake without all the essential ingredients.

OLBG: How huge (or little) is the issue of amount over quality?

AK: The industry has actually progressed to value quantity more than quality and my belief is that it's gone way too far. It's now pure quantity, churning out too lots of acquired markets no one desires or bets on. The sweet spot for me is reigning back amount and including a bit more quality into the mix.

OLBG: What makes a feed bad? Who gains from them being the manner in which they are?

AK: Feed prices that does not accurately consider altering bookmaker costs by item is at first bad for the bookie who needs to soak up these inadequacies. What's bad for the goose is eventually bad for the look with the ripple effect being a poor experience for consumers - be it pricing, stake limitations or account closures.

OLBG: How does this affect your company design?

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

OLBG: And how does it impact your relationship/dealings with other stakeholders? (Partners, affiliates, competitors and so on)

AK: Very little effect per se. We compute what we want to spend for a deal considering all variables and it depends on others whether they want to deal or no offer. Regarding competitors everybody is basically utilizing the exact same four or five feeds for a lot of sports so there's little differentiation, especially in-play. We incentivise our customers with our Big Prices tab, immediate withdrawals, fast client service and our complimentary bet clubs, all of which sit outdoors fundamental rates feeds.

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

AK: It would offer bookmakers more confidence in their prices which, in turn, suggests less barriers to consumers putting a bet without friction.

OLBG: You've talked about constructing your own feed - how reasonable is that?

AK: I've had a few conversations with people about this over the last month. My background is in trading and expert betting. My computer system skills are close to no. I can open and mess around with Excel and that has to do with it. But I 'd be very anal about my price feed requirements and how to optimise them. I essentially require somebody I can bark at to develop what I desire.

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

AK: I think prices accuracy 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 considering information and rights holders. But I'm enthusiastic about accurate, optimised rates throughout the life process of a market and believe the market leaves too lots of crumbs on the table by not focusing on this subject more.

OLBG: Do you think they would have an interest in one that you developed?

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

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

AK: Simply put, no I don't. That's what's resulted in me talking about developing our own.