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Betfair Historical Data Directory Help

Horseracing data is separate from other data. The data is grouped by market/selection/odds/inplay. For example, we give a single record for the amounts traded on Ollie Magern in the Hennessy at odds of 8.0 prior to the race turning in-play.

The data given is as follows...

EVENT_ID
COUNTRY (horseracing only)
FULL_DESCRIPTION
COURSE (horseracing only)
SCHEDULED_OFF
EVENT
ACTUAL_OFF
SELECTION
SETTLED_DATE
ODDS
LATEST_TAKEN (when these odds were last matched on the selection)
FIRST_TAKEN (when these odds were first matched on the selection)
IN_PLAY (IP - In-Play, PE - Pre-Event, NI - Event did not go in-play)
NUMBER_BETS (number of individual bets placed)
VOLUME_MATCHED (sums the stakes of both back and lay bets)
SPORTS_ID
SELECTION_ID
WIN_FLAG (1 if the selection was paid out as a full or partial winner, 0 otherwise)

Historical Data FAQ's

Why can't I download to MS Excel?

If you attempt to open certain data files directly in Excel, you may receive an error message or not be able to view all of the data. This is due to the fact that Excel can only 'handle' 66,000 rows. The solution is to use a program better equipped to handle large quantities of data, such as MS Access.

How do I download the data to MS Access?

File-Open and select the text file (you will have to change the default file type). You then get a wizard which should help you import it.

Save .csv file to your desktop - you should see a .csv icon with the filename you have downloaded.

Go into Access > Create a Blank Database > Press File > Get External Data > Import

Select the 'Look in' drop down and choose Desktop

Select the 'Files of type' drop down and choose Text Files

The csv file should now be available to select

Highlight the file and press Import

Select Delimited > Press Next

Select Comma (As in Comma Separated Values CSV) > Tick Box 'First Row Contains Field Names' > Press Next

Select In a New Table > Press Next

Press Next

Select Let Access Add Primary Key > Press Next

Give Your Table a Name > Press Finish

This may take several minutes to complete due to the large number of records.

I do not have Microsoft Access. Is there any free alternative?

Yes, OpenOffice. OpenOffice is a free alternative to MS Access, downloadable here: http://www.openoffice.org/index.html. The "Base" component will allow users to handle large quantities of data.

Is it possible to extract "price/volume over time" data from these files?

The data provided is a summary of the different odds that each selection was matched at, and includes only the first and last time that the odds were matched. It's not possible to create a price over time chart with this data.

Why is the actual off field empty?

For events that did not go in-play, that is correct. For others, you should have an Actual_Off.

Can I can get historical results for Exchange Poker?

The results are available at http://stats.betfairgames.com/ . We don't publish details of trade on these markets.

A list of Sports IDs is available here.

Please Note: The Historical Data is provided "AS IS" without warranties of any kind (whether express or implied and including but not limited to warranties as to fitness for purpose, satisfactory quality and/or accuracy) and save as provided by statute and to the fullest extent permitted by law, Betfair excludes any and all liability whether in contract, tort, statute, equity or otherwise for any use of the Historical Data.

We are aware of the following specfic issues with the data

We occasionally have to re-settle a market. In these cases the volumes quoted may be inaccurate.
For Asian Handicaps and Markets such as Total Runs or Total Goals, there is no Settled Date on the market.
For Asian Handicaps, there is no indication of the handicap, although each line is a different event id.