The art and science behind bookmaking is very old. This involves placing bets and taking risks on an event, while providing a place for gamblers. Some traditional types of bookmakers are still available at racetracks throughout the Commonwealth countries, including New Zealand, Australia and Ireland. However, the majority of online turnover is handled by large conglomerates. Illegal bookmakers are also known as “bookies” and can be found virtually anywhere where gambling is illegal, including the USA (outside Nevada, Atlantic City, India and China).
Many bookmakers who are legal and well-known in bookmaking countries such as Australia, Ireland, and England were able over the years to start large online and offline businesses M88. Many of these Goliath businesses are household names and many of them still use the original owner’s name. Others do not. Let’s explore the history of some of these “bigger fish”, in the world of bookmaking.
LadbrokesLadbrokes was the largest UK-based betting company and an historic operation. Ladbrokes started trading in 1886 under a different title as a Commission Agent and changed its identity to Ladbrokes when it became Ladbrokes. The online service offers sports, including horse racing. They also offer online poker, online gambling, and bingo. Ladbrokes offers sports prices that are comparable to Australian Corporate bookmakers.
William Hill A prominent online presence. It also has a listing in the London Stock Exchange. They have a long history of betting. The interesting history of William Hill’s 1934 start, at a time in England when gambling was legal, is reflected in the company’s current status. It was sold to many different owners before being listed on the London Stock Exchange. The site features a sportsbook, online poker and casino bingo. It also has an interesting informational layout to accompany the betting markets. While they may be slightly more expensive than Ladbrokes prices, the prices offered by this site are almost identical to that of an Australian corporate bookmaker.
Paddy Power is an Irish-based betting company that is listed on the UK and Irish stock exchanges. They offer online sportsbetting, gambling, bingo, and financial bets. Paddy Power also has betting shops and telephone gambling. This agency is also well-known for its unusual bet offerings such as the extinction the polar bear or the implied assassination Barack Obama. Paddy Power also offers prices that are similar to Australian corporate bookmakers.
PinnacleSports:An offshore book, or as the American’s refer to it, Pinnacle has a Curacao location. It is also home to many other bookmaking companies. Pinnacle, which has a large selection of sports and excellent customer service, is now the top-rated bookmaker in this region. Pinnacle has the highest prices outside of betting exchanges and can place decent amounts.
Centrebet This is the most prominent of the Australian online gambling sites. They also have a large online presence. This was the first bookmaker to open an online account in the southern hemisphere. It offers odds on many markets that offer both traditional (elections, sports betting) and more unusual (horseracing, sports betting). Sportingbet bought the business in 2011.