Bettting history in the UK

The first of May 1961 was a memorable day. Life became less complicated; legal betting shops opened their doors for the first time since the middle of the nineteenth century. One of them was located in obscure back alleys of Croydon, probably managed by a beautiful middle aged woman.

Acces denied

For over 100 years the public has been denied access to legal wager in cash. Betting shops made good profit during the first part of the 19th century; London alone had more than 400 operating shops. This all stopped completely in 1853, when the Betting Houses Act closed them down, and they would stay closed for more than a century. All the them, the government and punters were cooperatively working in a hypocritical alliance.

illegal bettingshops before 1961

Fred Done, now owing 256 betting shops, started at the young age of 15, in 1959 with his bookmaking business. Actually it was a family business; during those days no books were being kept, no income tax had to be paid and no betting duty was compulsory. Only the bribe to the police, which was two or three quid a week. Their service was formidable. They would even let you know if they were going to raid you.

Cyril Stein

One of the first men to realise the potential of betting shops was Cyril Stein of Ladbrokes. This man bought shops, no matter what the state or location did. It took some time before the regulation became laid back. Television screens were allowed in the shops, which a year later resulted in the live racing through satellite. Bookmakers were allowed to have two amusement-with-prizes machines and they were suddenly allowed to provide soft drinks and other beverages.

 Moreover they had approval to open in the evening and on Sundays. Unfortunately the 10 percent duty was driving punters to illegal bookmakers, who were stil operating in pubs, clubs and factories. A more optimistic view about the future can be seen in the market today. It looks like betting shops become slowly but surely changing in a mini Macau. Horse racing will be prospering and dog racing too. Betting on football will grow steadily as well.