By Jack McInerney –
1- What are the origins of LynchBet? – How did you get into the Racing Game? Were you born into it? How long have you been involved now?
GRANT: Believe it or not I came from a completely non-racing family! I was looking for a second job (just to get ahead). I was 20 yrs of age and my partner at the times Father was close to Sydney Rails Bookie Mal Waters (now retired).
Mal gave me work both Saturdays/Nights and Monday nights (night Greyhound meetings) and I was like a duck to water so to speak.
Mal was very good to me and shared his knowledge and helped me greatly. I became very close to his right-hand man and when Mal retired Noel talked me into getting a licence (for the gallops) and I kicked off Cox Plate day 2000 at Kembla Grange.
It was really just a toe in the water and a hobby more or less, as I had a fairly senior role at my full-time gig elsewhere. One thing lead to another and the business grew and grew along with my passion for it.
I graduated to the number one stands at both Kembla and Newcastle tracks and finally got the business to a critical mass that I was able to quit my reg job (around 2004) and worked Saturdays and all the country carnivals large and small.
I have had fantastic time in the bush and still try to attend as many as possible, having made some good friends from Mudgee to Murwillumbah! I have been a trackside bookie now 22 years and coming up to two years on line.
2- Who makes up the team at LynchBet? Is it just solely you working race days when trackside? Any employee’s? If so have they been with you for a long time?
GRANT: It is primarily a family business, with my son who has a fulltime role and another couple of traders and admin.
We have a team that are regulars at Kembla Newcastle Sat, and work on track wherever the Thursday Provincial meet is.
Most of the team are 10yrs plus years with us.
3- What makes Lynchbet Different?- What points of difference do you provide compared to say a massive corporate like TAB or Sportsbet?
GRANT: I think the number one thing is as the customer you can pick up the phone or email and speak directly to the bookie (decision maker), if your wanting to negotiate a price or want to discuss deposit promos or the like.
We bet very keen prices, along with high limits and I’m proud to say we have never closed anyone’s account.
We also use Osko and aim to process clients withdrawals in under 30mins, so funds are in your nominated account almost instantly.
4- Was being forced online last year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic a blessing or a hindrance? Did you grow your customer base during that time? Was it daunting taking the step from Manual Bookmaking (in person on track) to Digital Bookmaking (anonymously off track) so to speak?
GRANT: Look it has been a blessing mostly, I seriously underestimated the work involved especially at the back end admin etc. Having said that I like a challenge and it’s been fun.
We have experienced incredible growth, which I guess is testament to the levels of customer service, prices and an outstanding rewards program.
In regards to moving from Manual to Digital Bookmaking, I can be a bit of a bull at a gate, so I have had to try and harness that and try and be more patient, Mal my old boss was always telling me that!
I like meeting people so there if obviously a disconnect on-line. Everyone is so different though…I try and call all new clients, a lot of people don’t answer numbers they don’t know (I get that) others are pleased to hear from others not. We are all different makes the world go round I suppose.
5- Do you think in the current wagering landscape in Australia that the end in nigh for smaller Bookmakers?
GRANT: I sit on the Board of directors at the NSW Bookmakers, the Board is charged with doing many things including trying to help smaller fielders survive in the bush and city alike.
But at the end of the day the on track attendance is dropping especially mid-week, so it’s barely viable at some tracks. Racing NSW have been very proactive and we (I) are very grateful for that, however it varies from club to club in terms of the old “can do attitude”!
6- Whats the biggest bet that you have layed and in turn paid out?
GRANT: Naturally it’s a losing one haha! We bet a phone customer back in the day $2500 EW Lieca Larrikan at 40/1 so that was unpleasant! We backed a fair proportion of it back with other bookies to reduce our liability. The funniest part of the story was my right hand man was bagging me to death for backing it back, he didn’t say much after it won! Goes to show they can win!
7- Do you have any stories from over the years about taking on any BIG pro punters? GRANT: None that have a happy ending for me! But on a serious we accommodate them and I’m lucky enough to have a good relationship with many of them. It’s a shame the fluctuations were taken away from the track because now the corps don’t call up and put money into the ring on betbacks. When that was happening it stimulated betting and other runners we are giving a twist and away we go.
8- Last and not least, where can the Punters find your online service?
GRANT: Anyway anyone that enjoyed this small insight is welcome to email or call me, you will be pleasantly surprised in the Welcome pack you receive upon sign up!
Enter the Code: YTP2
WEBSITE: http://www.lynchbet.com.au
EMAIL: grant@lynchbet.com.au
PHONE: 0409 360 147
Give a smaller boutique operator a go – what have you got to lose?
Yeah The Punt 