Bookmaking is an ancient profession that involves placing bets on events and taking risk. It also provides a way for gamblers to place bets. Although there are still some traditional bookmakers who can be found at racetracks in the Commonwealth countries of Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, England and Australia, the majority of the turnover is done online. Illegal bookmakers, or “bookies”, can be found almost anywhere gambling is legalized – including in the USA (outside of Atlantic City and Nevada), India and China, and other countries.
Many notable bookmakers have been able to build large, profitable businesses online and offline in countries that allow bookmaking. Many of these businesses, despite being Goliath companies that have become household names, still use the name and address of their original owners. Others do not. Let’s take a look at the backgrounds of some of the most prominent bookmakers.
LadbrokesLadbrokes is the largest betting company in Britain and another historical operation. It was founded in 1886 as a commission agent and changed its name in 1902. Their online service includes sports, including horse racing, an online casino and online poker as well as other games. Ladbrokes’ prices for sports seem to be reasonable and even lower than Australian corporate bookmakers.
William Hill An online presence with a listing on London Stock Exchange and a long history in bookmaking. Interesting beginnings, including the 1934 founding of William Hill in a time where gambling was illegal in England. Before it was listed on the London Stock Exchange, the company had many owners. It offers poker, online casino bingo, and sportsbook. The betting markets are accompanied by an informative layout. While the prices are slightly higher than Ladbrokes’, they are more or less comparable to Australian corporate bookmakers M88.
Paddy Power: Irish-based bookmaker, listed on the Irish stock exchanges and UK stock markets, offers online betting, poker, bingo and financial betting. Paddy Power also operates betting shops and telephone betting. Paddy Power is well-known for its controversial betting offerings, including the assassination implied of Barack Obama and the extinction of the Polar Bear. Paddy Power’s prices are comparable to those offered by Australian corporate bookmakers.
Pinnacle Sport:An “offshore book” as Americans call it, Pinnacle can be found in Curacao with other bookmaking businesses. Pinnacle Sports has been an outstanding choice in this area, despite being renowned for its cowboy operations. Pinnacle often has the lowest prices of all the betting exchanges, which allows you to bet decent amounts.
Centrebet One of the most well-known Australian online bookmakers is . It has a substantial online presence and is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The first online bookmaker in the southern hemisphere to launch online betting. They offer odds on a wide range of markets, including horse racing, sports, and financial betting. Sportingbet acquired the business in 2011.