Victor Chandler Biography
Victor Chandler is chairman and driving force behind Britain's leading independent bookmaker.
He is widely acknowledged as the architect of a worldwide betting revolution that had its roots in Britain. By taking his business offshore in 1999 he sparked off a chain of events that led to the introduction of tax-free betting in the UK. His pioneering spirit, and willingness to challenge the established order won him many admirers among the sporting public. Until the historic abolition of betting duty in October 2001, punters in Britain had been paying 10 per cent tax on their bets.
Victor's decision to move his business offshore to Gibraltar in 1999 saw tens of thousands of punters transfer their accounts to his operation. The other big bookmakers were then forced to copy and set up their own offshore operations. To tempt them back to the UK the government changed the law and abolished UK betting duty.
Victor himself is one of the most respected figures in the British bookmaking industry. He is also recognised as one of the visionaries behind the current football betting explosion that will climax this year with the World Cup.
Victor is the grandson of Victor Chandler senior, who founded the original company in 1946. The family built Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium - while Victor's father expanded his bookmaking business into a chain of some 40 betting shops around the UK. His father was voted Bookmaker of the Year in 1969.
Then, 25 years ago he inherited the business from his father. He rapidly established a reputation for honour, integrity and for having virtually no upper limit on the size of bets that he will take. It was this that earned him the reputation of 'the Gentleman bookmaker'.
He now heads up one of the leading betting and gaming companies in the world. With headquarters in Gibraltar and extensive operations in the UK, Europe and the Far East the company now offers betting by phone and the internet to 164 countries. His company employs more than 350 people and has turnover in excess of £600m per year.
As well as two dedicated football betting websites, offering odds on football in six different languages, the company also runs online casinos and other games to a variety of different markets.
Today, operating both in the UK and internationally, with the support of some of the industry's most experienced managers, Victor Chandler works with governments, sporting groups & local officials to reshape the international bookmaking and gaming industry. As Chairman he has brought tax-free betting to the global marketplace as well as broadening the opportunities offered throughout Europe and developing the most sophisticated online gaming system in the world.
He says of gaming, "There are very few thrills in life. Backing your hunches is one of the last ones left." Successful bookmaking adds honour, integrity, leadership and a pioneering spirit. In a competitive industry, Victor Chandler has proved that he knows how to put together a winning combination.