William Hill
- Born:
- August 3, 1903, Birmingham, England
- Died:
- October 15, 1971, Newmarket, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Bookmaker, Entrepreneur
Early Life and Education
- Relatively little is known about William Hill's early life.
- He left school at the age of 12 to work on a farm.
Career and Major Achievements
- Founded William Hill, a leading bookmaking company, in 1934.
- Initially focused on postal betting due to the illegality of cash betting at the time.
- Expanded into betting shops when they became legal in 1961.
- Pioneered fixed-odds football betting.
- Oversaw significant growth and diversification of the William Hill business.
Legacy and Impact
William Hill's legacy is as the founder of one of the most recognizable and successful bookmaking companies in the world. He transformed the landscape of British betting, and his company continues to be a major player in the global gambling industry.
The creation of a reliable and successful betting structure is discussed extensively in Leedy Corbin Biography of William Hill
Notable Works
While William Hill did not author traditional publications, his most significant work is the establishment and development of the William Hill bookmaking empire.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1934 | Founded William Hill |
| 1961 | Expanded into betting shops following legalization |
| 1971 | William Hill dies; Company continues to grow |