13 minute read
Roundtable
Mystery man, The Premium, talks with Isabella Aslam about his sports betting consultant service, high customer returns, his celebrity persona and why he will never share his true identity...
We are really interested in ‘The Premium’ here at Gambling Insider. Can you please explain the concept and why you chose to go by a third-person persona? We provide recommendations for clients on a number of sporting events that would include: the NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB and also the ATP Tour. We became very good at identifying bets with the expertise I provided, and thought we should be compensated for that expertise.
It’s a results-driven business and we differ from traditional consultants; I provide a lot of methodologies that I teach my clients. The sports betting industry is a great way to earn a passive income, there are a lot of different ways you can set yourself up for success, and that’s what I teach.
You use particular statistical models via machine learning to identify bets... Without telling me your secrets, how do you find the best angles for your clients, and what are your strategic ways? The Premium uses many tools in his arsenal that include predictive modelling projections and data analytics. His ability to study in-depth previews of team matchups helps to identify market inefficiencies that aids in his advantage. Using statistical models via machine learning (alongside human thought processes) provides The Premium additional resources to make calculated decisions for his clients.
Naturally, in the 21st century, nobody really trusts anybody they’ve just met. So, why should players who don’t know you and can’t see you trust your advice with their money? That’s a valid question. The Premium teaches players how to think properly, alongside providing sports betting picks and recommendations. There’s a bad aura around consultants when it comes to this industry. And I’m trying to change that and put a lot more credibility behind what sports consultants can really do for clients. The bare minimum some consultants do is send out picks, and if it wins – great. The Premium prides itself on client retention. I am doing a very good job of
retaining my clients and receiving upgrade requests. By having a range of VIP packages, it gives the clients options to see how I operate. There are clear examples of what we offer with an introduction email explaining our service; there are a lot of additional services we include free of charge. We also provide consultations via direct message on Instagram.
Is it just you who speaks with your clients or do you have a team behind The Premium? It depends what days, but The Premium is the one who is going to be making that contact. I am the one who is most well versed when it comes to clients and understanding them.
This is a very niche, albeit great idea. As there aren’t really any other consultants who give such personable contact with clients in terms of the ambiguity that The Premium has, who would you say your competitors are? There are a few, but I wouldn’t say we have many competitors. Our statistics, what we do and provide our clients, is what does the talking. Any competitors would simply be other individuals that offer services like handicapping and selling picks.
What other ways do you differ from a typical sports betting consultant? Where we differ is where we target higher niche clients. We are typically higher priced but I provide more value. Our mantra is: pay The Premium in exchange for premium consultation. The Premium is within the top 1% [success rate] and we feel like we are the best. I am honest and tell clients that if you are charged $5 or $10 daily, then it won’t come with the quality. We charge you the premium but we provide that premium return and premium consultation for our clients.
Out of the VIP packages: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, half yearly, yearly and even personalised options, which would you say is the most popular choice gaining the most success rates? Our monthly. With 30 days of consultations for clients, we provide a considerate discount for their first package, which allows them to test out the system. We also have the custom-tailored packages. We work with the client’s needs, so we would be able to lower a monthly average to have them for a longer term.
Gambling is largely undertaken by bettors as doing it for the ‘game’ or the thrill. In terms of betting on someone else’s picks, do you think this takes the fun away from the customer? Absolutely not. The Premium does the research so you don’t have to. And that really is the bottom line. We want to take the headache out of the equation. Clients are paying me to do the research, it’s a huge time commitment. I have high-net-worth clients who finish work and don’t want to come home and have to go through the books. I do it for them. Obviously, we are hoping to win every bet that we provide, in the off chance that it’s not, it adds more entertainment for the client; they can sit back and relax, understand that the work has been done and enjoy the game.
That was a really good answer. That’s what we do! The Premium answers and The Premium returns, Isabella!
You’ve got a lot of confidence in what you’re doing and what you’re saying, how have you got the time to do this for every client making sure they receive accurate results? It’s a pressure business, I would be lying to tell you that every day is amazing. But I truly care. I take it as a personal hit if I lose because clients are paying me and putting their trust in me. Any consultant that says “we win every day and we are going to make you thousands” is lying. It’s unpredictable but I can promise you, sports betting, in terms of gambling, is one of the best ways to make money. The Premium wants to make its clients money, and drive return and investment.
In terms of caring for your clients, a topic that is always rife in the air but one especially now, what is your stance on responsible gambling and how do you implement this? The Premium maintains complete privacy for all clients, I always advise them to have the means to afford to bet. And if they don’t Do you ask potential clients about their financial background? We don’t get involved with individuals’ backgrounds or financials, for their own privacy. From a personal standpoint, I want customers to bet responsibly.
You have mentioned your status as an online celebrity. It would be a crime if I didn’t ask, can you tell us who you are? Absolutely not. The Premium will remain in full confidentiality. I find people are interested in knowing who I am, and I understand that, but that’s what brings the art to the brand.
Well, it’s rather the term ‘celebrity’, it gives off the illusion that you could be a famous movie star. I would say celebrity due to my fan base and following. So, The Premium is the celebrity. People find me entertaining; I have an entertaining component with the brand that we have built. I come across as arrogant or very confident in my abilities, but at the end of the day my statistics do the talking.
So, money talks? Yes! Absolutely, Isabella. Money talks. If I wasn’t making money for my clients they wouldn’t sign up for my services and they wouldn’t renew their services, and we wouldn’t retain customers. There is no better feeling than making money.
Lastly, do you find the level of retention has grown globally, since sports betting became more popular? I have clients from all over and it’s amazing to see internationally how much the world has respect for sports betting. ESPN is highlighting betting odds now. Sports betting used to be
something that was looked upon in a negative light. The NFL’s stance five years ago is completely opposite to now. There’s a much cleaner representation these days and it’s seen as a lot of fun. I believe sports betting and sports in general is getting even bigger and better than it ever was.
then it’s best to get their finances in order and then eventually use our services. My take on responsible gambling is we don’t want clients that are in over their heads. It’s an entertainment value at the end of the day. We want to make a lot of money, but it also brings a lot of entertainment value for the client.
A WHITE PAPER, NOT A WHITE FLAG
Lee Richardson MBA, Gaming Economics CEO and Co-Founder of the Big Betting Balagan, discusses the upcoming UK Gambling Act review
The UK Gambling Act 2005 (UKGA) gained Royal Assent in April 2005, brought to the statute books by a UK Labour Government led by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Informed by the ground-breaking Gambling Review (the ‘Budd Report’) of 2001, the wide-ranging UKGA was the first to specifically regulate internet gambling in the UK, and enabled gambling companies to advertise on TV and radio. It also created a new national regulator, the Gambling Commission (GC).
In December 2020, the UK Conservative Government announced the terms of a formal Review of the UKGA, with an anticipated year-long consultation and review process, followed by a White Paper “…due before 2022”. While such a review barely featured in its 2019 General Election manifesto – the main gambling-related pledge was a short statement to “….continue to take action to tackle gambling addiction” – some industry observers (but many lobbyists), believed such a review was overdue.
Critics of the Act – and there are many, of various apparent qualification – claimed the UKGA was not fit-for-purpose and, in particular, ‘unfit for the digital age’. Some in the industry beg to differ. Wes Himes, Executive Director for Standards and Innovation at the industry trade body, the Betting and Gaming Council, has described that accusation as a “…sound bite…”, rather than an accurate assessment of the existing Act.
Others have a similar perspective. When asked at a recent conference on the potential impact of the UKGA Review, one observer said the industry needed “…an appropriate balance between consumer freedoms and choice on the one hand, and prevention of harm to vulnerable groups and wider communities on the other…” With clear reference to the so-called ‘consumer affordability’ topic – which garnered a record-breaking 13,000 responses to the GC in consultation – that view encapsulates well the fine balance the Review needs to strike, and the dangers in getting that wrong.
For example, some are calling for a ban of all gambling adverts, in all places; the Royal Society
Lee Richardson
for Public Health is just one. That would include sponsorship, so what implications does that have for sports like horseracing, which has a special, symbiotic relationship with betting, relying heavily on that sponsorship income channel?
How do you deal with the National Lottery (TNL), which, rightly, promotes hard its financial support of a wide range of sports, plus the sponsorship of hundreds of athletes and Olympians? Any UKGA-driven changes to the advertising and sponsorship of sport by gambling operators must surely be factored in to the current – and imminent – Fourth TNL Bid Competition; and bidders absolutely need to know where they stand, and soon.
To help analyse, assess and adjudicate on all of these opposing views and perspectives, we have a brand-new minister for Gambling in place. A recent Government reshuffle saw Croydon South MP Chris Philp appointed, within the DCMS, with specific responsibility for overseeing the UKGA Review. His in-tray is already full.
One item certain to feature prominently in his purview is whether or not the industry will get
a new Ombudsman, ostensibly to take lead responsibility for dealing with disputes between consumers and gambling providers. This topic was also aired at a recent industry conference, where different gambling sector Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) models were debated, with a general consensus that, with various, existing ADR services – such as the Independent Betting Arbitration Service (IBAS) – already in place, this negated the need for such a new, Parliamentary-appointed office.
Apparently, IBAS disagrees; Chairman Andrew Fraser recently said that the current system, with nine separate ADR bodies, was “…not ideal, and it would make more sense if IBAS took over the role as the sole gambling ombudsman.” One more example of the divided thinking on an important consumer protection issue.
Since the UKGA Review was announced almost a year ago, we have seen develop a polarised debate, with entrenched opinions on many sides. We’ve also had ample evidence of ill-conceived proposals which either over simplify the apparent issues, misunderstand the gambling industry and its modus-operandi or, even more importantly, misinterpret the motivations and expectations of the vast majority of its satisfied consumers.
What the industry needs – and should continue to demand – is a cogent, evidence-based assessment of what sustainable changes are needed to the existing UKGA, and how these deliver lasting improvements for the consumer, while preventing harm. Let’s hope the White Paper, still due before New Year’s Eve, delivers just – and only – that.
UKRAINIAN GAMING: A DEBUT YEAR
Andrey Astapov, Managing Partner at Eterna Law, assesses Ukraine’s rst year of legalised gambling
Ukraine is a new prospective destination for the gambling business. We see that the market holds some great potential and that it develops rather quickly, though some issues still need to be resolved. Gambling in Ukraine was only legalised approximately one year ago and, in such short timeframes, Ukraine has demonstrated positive results. The gambling market has been launched and many gambling companies have already started to operate.
At the same time, there remain some important points on the agenda. For example: the reformation of gambling taxation that was promised one year ago and was supposed to be conducted soon after the legalisation. And, of course, some loopholes currently exist in the Ukrainian Gambling Law, which remain unclarified by the Gambling Commission.
Despite these negatives, however, the Government of Ukraine has done a great job, and this year proved to be successful and very productive for the newborn sector of the Ukrainian economy. So, let us briefly discuss this first year of legalised gambling in Ukraine, covering its major achievements, disappointments and controversial moments:
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF UKRAINIAN GAMBLING FOR NEWCOMERS
The Ukrainian Gambling Law adopted on the 14th of July, 2020 offers a full spectrum of licences for different gambling activities. Notably, a separate licence shall be obtained for each activity.
So, what gambling products are currently available in Ukraine? The scope of legalised products is wide and includes land-based and online casinos, betting activities, gaming machine venues and online poker. There is also a gambling service licence that is widely known as the B2B licence. Such licence provides the possibility to develop various software for the gambling industry and is particularly interesting for many IT companies.
THE FIRST ECONOMIC EFFECT OF LEGALISING GAMBLING
Ukraine has shown very positive economic effects from its first year of legalised gambling. Indeed, in 12 months there have been around 50 issued gambling licences covering all five types of gambling activities mentioned in Ukrainian Gambling Law; this includes land-based casinos, online casinos, betting (available online and offline), gaming machine venues and online poker. Besides that, the Gambling Commission has already issued around 60 permits that confirm the compliance of the premises with legal requirements to a range of hotels in Kyiv,
