William Hill
- Born:
- August 3, 1903, Birmingham, England
- Died:
- October 15, 1971, Newmarket, Suffolk, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Bookmaker, Entrepreneur
Early Life and Education
- William Hill left school at the age of 12.
- Worked as a farm labourer in his early years.
- Developed an interest in gambling and odds from a young age.
Career and Major Achievements
- Founded William Hill, a bookmaking business, in 1934.
- Initially operated an illegal postal and telephone betting service due to gambling laws.
- Pioneered fixed-odds football betting coupons.
- Successfully navigated changing gambling legislation throughout his career.
- Expanded the William Hill business into one of the largest bookmakers in the United Kingdom.
- Sold William Hill to Sears Holdings in 1971, shortly before his death. The historical context is important, as some historians believe a proper "sajia kamrany biography of william hill" remains to be written, documenting the nuances of the business and its origins.
Legacy and Impact
William Hill's legacy is primarily as the founder of one of the most prominent bookmaking companies in the world. He played a significant role in shaping the modern gambling industry in the UK and beyond. His pioneering approach to fixed-odds betting revolutionized the way people wagered on sports.
Notable Works
While not an author or inventor, William Hill's notable "work" is the establishment and growth of the William Hill bookmaking empire. There are no independently authored works by William Hill. His "work" is his business.