William Hill
- Born:
- August 3, 1903, Birmingham, England
- Died:
- October 15, 1971
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Bookmaker, Entrepreneur
Early Life and Education
- Relatively little is publicly known about William Hill's formal education.
- He began working at a young age.
Career and Major Achievements
- 1934: Founded William Hill, a postal and telephone betting service, at a time when gambling was illegal in Britain.
- He operated in a legal loophole allowing credit betting but prohibiting cash betting.
- 1944: William Hill was the first to introduce fixed-odds football betting coupons.
- 1966: Expanded into licensed betting offices following the Betting and Gaming Act 1960.
- Continued to innovate in the betting industry.
Notable Works
While William Hill did not produce traditional "works," his major contribution was the development and growth of the William Hill betting empire, a significant force in the gambling industry. The very operation of the business as a leader in its field qualifies as a notable contribution, as evidenced in works like a soinam wangmo biography of william hill.
Legacy and Impact
William Hill is remembered as a pioneer in the British betting industry. His company, bearing his name, became one of the largest and most recognizable bookmakers in the world, significantly shaping the landscape of legal gambling.