Some subscribe to ratings and other services to get their tips. Depending on the where they are getting them from and the time that they put in to the selection process, they at one stage have said "I need to share the cost" and once down this path, they have continue. They tend to treat the deal as two separate processes (1) recoup the cost and (2) bet or lay to their comfort level. Some are not comfortable betting more than 3 figures. A couple that I know have been restricted in the amount they can bet, that the only viable way to win is to sell the tips. One I know only charged for the winning tips. Thus there are many reasons for providing the service