Bookmakers Lose

Bookmakers lose and put in danger of missing profit targets amid a football season of high-scoring matches and a distinct lack of draws. Punter-friendly Premier League results have added to the pressure on betting companies following a string of unfavourable outcomes in other sports.

Sportsbooks prefer draws as punters normally back a winning scoreline. However, earnings have suffered with only eight draws in 75 top-flight football matches this season.

In a typical season, about one in four matches ends in a draw, so the start of this campaign has been a huge shock to the system.

David Hood, public relations director at William Hill, said: “2009 has been a sterling year for the punter, but we can’t forecast results, we can only manage business accordingly. It is a fallacy that the bookmakers always win, but there are some results where the punters win.”

The Manchester derby on September 20 is reported to have cost a bookmakers a total of £95m after Michael Owen scored a last-minute winning goal.