Betfair Beacons FAQs

•                 What are Betfair Beacons?

Given our unique position as the Exchange where our customers form the market, we can spot trending selections to track when a price shortens or drifts on the Exchange. We are aiming to make that information more easily available to customers by surfacing an icon – which we call a Beacon – next to runners where prices have moved by fixed amounts. A flames Beacon will be surfaced for selections that are heavily backed – shorteners – with a snowflake for selections that are not popular in the market – drifters.

We believe this will simplify the process of finding price moves within the market.

•                 How do Betfair Beacons work?

Beacons work by establishing an anchor price for a horse when a certain amount of money is matched on the selection. The amount needed to form the anchor price varies by the price and is outlined in a table below:

We measure the percentage probability difference between this anchor price and the current live price; if there is a move of at least 7.5%, it triggers a Beacon to display next to the horse.

All the data needed to do this is already available to everyone in our market graphs and price ladders.

•                 What are shorteners and drifters?

Shorteners are horses whose price have decreased or shortened since an anchor price was formed.

Drifters are horses whose price have increased or drifted since an anchor price was formed.What do the Beacons look like?

Beacons will be represented by either a snowflake for drifters or fire icon for shorteners.

•                 Where will I see Beacons?

Beacons will be shown next to the back prices in line with runner names on Horse Racing win markets.

Who can see Betfair Beacons?

Beacons will be turned by default for all customers and will be seen on available markets.

•                 Can I turn Beacons on or off?

On desktop Beacons can be turned on or off via the check box at the top of the market. For mobile this can be done via the Beacons button at the top of the market.

Beacons are also shown on the Next Races tab however the ability to turn them on and off is not available on this tab.

•                 What markets are Beacons available on?

Beacons are only available on win markets. They are also shown the Next Races tab where the win market is shown by default.

•                 What countries are Beacons available?

Beacons are only calculated for UK and Irish horse races; however all customers can see these beacons in relevant markets.

•                 What prices are used to calculate Beacons?

Beacons are only calculated using the back prices.

•                 What time are Beacons displayed?

Beacons are displayed as soon as the market is open for betting, typically the evening before the day of the race.

•                 How often are Beacons calculated?

Beacons are calculated in near real time and will update at least every 30 seconds.

•                 Are Beacons shown in running?

Beacons are calculated using pre-race prices only. The pre-race status of the Beacon is final but will continue to display when the race goes in-play. In-play prices will not affect the status of the Beacon.

•                 Is there anywhere to see historic Beacons?

Not currently. We do not expect to make this information available.