BEN’S BLOG: ‘Us bookies aren’t complete mugs (well, not all the time!)’

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]ood morning, Blog! Up early, are you? Well, you better be, if you want to pull Star Sports’ trousers down! Following a recent blog about bookies comparing notes, on worrying looking punters, all I can say is; thank God we do!

We were called recently, and warned about a credit-punter, who has been doing the rounds, knocking as many bookmakers as he can. Ha! ha!! Would you believe it? The phone rang this morning, and there the rogue was; requesting a £25,000 credit limit. As I said before; it works two ways; punters can compare bookies…AND WE CAN DO THE SAME!!

In other news:

I had a coffee with Jim Cremin (pictured) yesterday. Jim is a Racing Post journalist, specialising in the bookmaking industry, and previously, was also editor of the Greyhounds for many years. And before that even, several hundred years ago; he was Racing Manager at Wembley Dogs, a role he told me; was the most challenging and enjoyable of his career.

He has been a HUGE contributor to Greyhound Racing. As Jim was leaving, I thanked him for everything he has done for the game. He turned to me and said ‘I don’t see it like that at all, Ben. We’re all in it together.’.

In a team-game that is being interfered with, at every angle, by the Corporate People, this is virtually a now unseen attitude.  Sadly, we are surrounded by insubstantial individuals, who have a paper thin knowledge of what they are dealing in, and the racing is now simply a loss-leader for online-casinos and roulette-machines. WHAT ARE YOU GIVING BACK AND DOING FOR THE GAME?

So Scotland have seen sense and stayed in the gang. Well done! However, one man, Will Stockbroker, is gutted. Should the Yes’ have copped, he was planning on having a tartan themed party and inviting Andy Murray! YOU NAUGHTY MAN!!

Over and out, B x