Victor Chandler Biography The Victor Chandler Business 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. back to top The Victor Chandler Business The Victor Chandler group is one of the world's leading independent bookmaking and gaming groups. With offices in London, Gibraltar and the Far East the company offers a wide range of gaming products tailored to each individual market. Sports Betting The Victor Chandler sports betting business is now a sophisticated multi-layered operation that offers the sports fan every conceivable type of bet on most major sports. Customers can bet by phone, on the internet or at the racetrack. A modern call centre and IT infrastructure coupled with an impeccable reputation for integrity and customer care is helping the company to push on with ambitious plans around the world. Currently attracting customers from more than 160 countries the company's rapid growth in the last ten years has taken the industry by storm. The call centre handles thousands of bets every day both from the UK and abroad. There is also a wide range of online betting sites to suit every market. For example customers can bet on all the leading sports at www.victorchandler.co.uk which is recognised as one the best sites around and which offers the complete gaming portfolio for all types of customers. And for the traditionalists who like a day at the races or dog track Victor Chandler on-course still offers the high level of customer care that has been its hallmark for more than 50 years. Gaming Online gaming and casinos are now a significant part of the Victor Chandler business. It all started with The spin room (www.thespinroom.com) an easy-to-use product that, because it doesn't require a download, offers almost instant access to the gaming tables. The popular contemporary look and feel of this casino makes it popular with players and partners alike and we have a very successful affiliate scheme running with upward of 50 partners including some of the best internet sites in Europe. Technology Because most of the technology for the business has been developed in-house, and the high level of expertise within the Victor Chandler Group the company is now managing casinos and sportsbooks for other operators. It has also forged key partnerships with leading players around the world to tailor products for each specific market. A good example of this is our joint venture in Korea, co-host of the 2002 World Cup, where we have entered into a joint venture with Tiger Pools to offer online betting into that market. In the casino division, the group provides all aspects of casino management from planning and developing, banking, sourcing and advising on software solutions, to hosting and operating and marketing. Some of the biggest names in bookmaking and gaming have used The Casino Division for advice and help in setting up and operating their casinos. back to top