A professional betting group headed by UK punter James Atkinson has revealed that it has made over £50 million in profit from UK and Irish bookmakers over the past year.
At the centre of this success is Race Reads, Atkinson’s fast-growing horse racing insights platform, which now boasts over 4,000 monthly subscribers. The group’s achievements have been credited to disciplined market reading, in-depth race analysis, and a unique educational approach to betting.
“James built an entire university of punting wisdom and it works,” said one Race Reads member. “Most tipsters can’t tell you how many furlongs are in a mile.” They added.
According to members, the impact of Atkinson’s selections is immediate — with bookmakers reacting in real time. In some instances, odds have halved within minutes, forcing at least two major online betting firms to impose Starting Price-only restrictions on races involving his tips.
“They fear smart money. They fear James,” said another long-standing member.
Atkinson has faced bans and limitations from high-street bookmakers and betting shops. However, his team adapted by establishing a trusted network of individuals across the country to help place bets on his behalf.
“Yes, people double-crossed him. Some ran off with five-figure bankrolls,” They added. “But James recalibrated and built something smarter.”
The Rise of Race Reads
Launched in 2023, Race Reads positions itself as an insight-led betting platform focused on UK and Irish horse racing. Rather than flooding subscribers with daily tips, the service provides a select few carefully reasoned choices each week, alongside detailed breakdowns and performance reviews.
“This isn’t about guesswork or hunches,” said Atkinson. “Every selection is the product of hours of video analysis, sectional timing breakdowns, and market intelligence.”
Beyond tipping, Race Reads operates a learning platform called Betting University, offering professional-level modules on key aspects of strategic betting. These include:
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Creating personal odds lines
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Race replay interpretation
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Analysing jockey signals and body language
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Risk and bankroll management
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Understanding bookmaker risk profiling
“It’s a complete framework,” said one user. “It’s changed how I think about betting — and helped me stay profitable.”
Members have reported that the platform has helped them in practical and personal ways — from funding holidays and generating secondary incomes to supporting new ventures.
Atkinson, who is also a full-time father of four — two of whom are non-verbal autistic — developed the business while balancing daily parental responsibilities.
In 2024, he published Blood, Sweat & Bets, an unvarnished look at the realities of life as a professional punter. He has since delivered talks at events including Doncaster Racecourse, and remains an active supporter of causes such as Autism in Racing and the Injured Jockey Fund.
