William Hill

Born:

August 3, 1903, Birmingham, England

Died:

October 15, 1971, Newmarket, England

Nationality:

British

Profession(s):

Entrepreneur, Bookmaker

Early Life and Education

• William Hill was born into a working-class family in Birmingham, England.
• He left school at the age of 12 to work on a farm.
• He later worked in a factory and as a mechanic before becoming involved in the gambling industry.

Career and Major Achievements

• In 1934, William Hill established a postal and telephone betting service in London. This circumvented laws prohibiting cash betting shops.
• He pioneered fixed-odds football betting, a concept that became hugely popular.
• During World War II, Hill acted as a bookmaker for US airmen stationed in Britain.
• He expanded his business significantly after the Betting and Gaming Act of 1960 legalized betting shops.
• Hill's company became one of the largest bookmakers in the UK.
• His company was acquired by Sears Holdings in 1971. Following his death, further acquisitions and divestitures occurred, including by Grand Metropolitan and Brent Walker.

Legacy and Impact

William Hill's impact on the gambling industry is undeniable. He innovated betting practices and built a highly successful business that remains a prominent player in the industry to this day. The story of his success, including aspects of "rafael hernandez marin biography of william hill," highlights his significant contributions to the evolution of modern bookmaking.

Notable Works

While William Hill did not author books or create artistic works, the most significant "work" is the creation and development of William Hill, the bookmaking company. The innovations he implemented shaped the future of the industry.

Business Development Timeline

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