Most significant development in the betting industry

[Cons]

Which of the following do you consider to be the most significant, betting-related development in recent years:

1) New payment options (Neteller, Firepay, Pre-Pay ATM, etc).
Never before has moving money to/from/BETWEEN sportsbooks been easier.

2) Live-betting.
You can now bet live on numerous sports, be it tennis, soccer, American football, cricket, rugby, etc. You name it.

3) Betting exchanges.
Cut out the middle man and get better odds. Or simply offer your own bets/odds instead.

[LoboLoco]

the electronic payment methods have been the best invention so far because without them, the industry would be dead since the credit cards have become such a problem.

[Cons]

I can't imagine (betting) life now without Neteller. Imagine having to move your funds from one book to the next... via your bank account. Aaarrrghh!!

Nowadays it's click, click, click... short break... click, click, click... and bingo - your funds are where you want them.

Live-betting is another great idea that is taking the world by storm. Betting before a game starts just isn't the same. Why not watch a game... and be able to bet at any time with the odds constantly changing to reflect the state of play? It's way more interesting. Being able to open and close your positions at any time is the future of betting I'd say.

Last but (definitely) not least, you have to give credit to betting exchanges. Most of the time they'll provide you with the best odds available, and often with little or no vig. On top of that you can offer your own bets+odds, just like a bookie.

A betting exchange like Betfair will never go out of business because it takes no positions - it's never at risk. Likewise, you'll never be booted for winning.

[sportshobby]

I'd like to hear more experiences with Bet Exchanges. The last time I took a look at them, there were very few offerings with very low limits at places I'd never hear of. Maybe they have come along since then. . .