Are you interested in the history and work of the oldest bookmakers on our planet? This makes sense because if you want to join a bookie, their background and history should play an important role in the process of selecting the right bookie.
Individual bookmakers were present on the market since the 18th century. But, the rise of bookies has happened in the 1960s when dozens of land-based bookmakers were introduced in Europe and Asia. In addition, the Internet has increased people’s interest in using bookmakers.
Today, many people prefer old bookmakers over new ones because they have already gained a reputation. That’s why we have prepared this list of the oldest bookies (bookmakers) on this planet.
- Discover the history of the oldest bookies
- Find out more about their structure and methods of operation
- Learn what makes these bookmakers stand out
There are old bookmakers all over the world and we have included bookmakers from a few countries on this list. These bookmakers have excellent offers that include different sports and various betting options.
They also have many positive reviews and thousands of active users. If you want to learn more about the 9 oldest bookies (bookmakers) on this planet, check the list below.
1. Betfred
Founded: 1967
Headquarters: Warrington, UK
License: UK Gambling Commission and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Number of sports offered: Over 25 sports
Online version: yes
Betfred is a famous UK-based bookmaker. They have been present in the gambling market in the UK for more than five decades now. It’s interesting that this company was founded by two brothers – Fred and Peter Done. They have launched a Betfred betting shop in Salford, UK in 1967.
In the following years, they have managed to open a few dozen shops across the UK. Starting from 2004, they have launched a website. Today, they are also one of the most used online bookmakers in the UK which is available in other countries too.
From horse racing and rugby league to football and snooker, Betfred is a bookie that offers wagering on a wide range of sports. It’s worth mentioning that they have licenses issued by two reputable gaming authorities.
- Betfred is one of the oldest UK bookmakers
- The online version of this website is available to players from other countries too
- They have two licenses
2. Paf
Founded: 1966
Headquarters: Aland Islands, Finland
License: the local government of Aland Islands
Number of sports offered: Over 25 sports
Online version: yes
As you are probably aware, betting on sports and special events is a global activity. This means that there are great old bookmakers not just in the UK, but around the world. One of the oldest bookie options modern bettors have is Paf. This is actually a gambling operator that is headquartered in Mariehamn, Aland Island, Finland.
The history of Paf starts in 1966. In the early 1970s, they have created a few shops that were working aboard car ferries. This is also one of the first Finnish bookies that have established online operations. They have opened their website in 1999.
What’s interesting is that Paf is owned and managed by the regional government of Aland, a semi-autonomous region in Finland. Nowadays, Paf is offering live sports betting, regular betting on over 25 sports and other markets and accepts players from many European countries.
It’s also good to know that they have an attractive casino page too.
- Paf is a bookie that’s owned by the regional government of Aland Islands in Finland
- They are operating under the local government’s license
- This bookie was established in 1966
3. Betsson
Founded: 1963
Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
License: UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority and Swedish Gambling Authority
Number of sports offered: Over 30 sports
Online version: yes
Betting has a long history in Sweden and Betsson is one of the oldest bookies not only in this country but also on this planet. This bookie was founded in 1963 by Bill Lindwall and Rolf Lundstrom. This was a small gambling company in the beginning, but after a while, they have started growing. Today, they have more than 1800 employees and annual revenue of over 400 million Euros.
Betsson
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Betsson is offering bets on over 30 sports and a few special events. This is one of the bookmakers that have managed to stay on top thanks to the implementation of the latest technologies in their work. They were one of the first Swedish online bookmakers too. In addition to sports betting, Betsson offers scratch cards, bingo, poker, and casino games.
- One of the most popular and oldest Swedish bookmakers
- They have a few licenses
- They are offering betting on more than 30 sports and include in-play betting
4. William Hill
Founded: 1934
Headquarters: London, UK
License: UK Gambling Commission and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Number of sports offered: Over 25 sports
Online version: yes
Talking about the oldest bookies without mentioning William Hill would be a big mistake. One of the favorite bookies of many Brits has become the favorite place of many people around the world in the last two decades.
William Hill is one of the biggest players in the gambling market today. This company, and bookie, is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Of course, in the beginning, they were just a small company because gambling was not completely legal at that time in the UK.
Nowadays, they have business operations around the globe and a workforce of more than 165000 people. Of course, this bookie is present on the Internet too. In addition to sports betting, it offers gambling products like casino games, online bingo, skill games, and online poker.
- William Hill has been present in the gambling market for almost a century now
- This company covers a wide range of gambling products in addition to sports betting
- This bookie offers bets by phone, in land-based shops, and over the Internet
5. BetVictor
Founded: 1946
Headquarters: Gibraltar
License: UK Gambling Commission and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Number of sports offered: Over 20 sports
Online version: yes
BetVictor, also known as Victor Chandler International Ltd., is a Gibraltar-based bookie. This is one of the rare bookies that were founded right after WWII that survived for so long. This independent bookie was established by William Chandler, a British bookie and the owner of Walthamstow Stadium.
It’s interesting that this bookmaker has changed its name a few times for branding reasons. Another thing that’s interesting about this old bookie is that they are sponsoring many sporting events. BetVictor is also an online bookmaker that accepts players from all over the world.
In the recent period, this bookmaker is very popular in Asian countries.
- Founded in 1946 making it one of the oldest bookies in the world
- This bookmaker has used a few different names in the past
- They are offering bets on more than 20 sports
6. The Tote
Founded: 1928
Headquarters: Wigan, UK
License: UK Gambling Commission and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Number of sports offered: Fewer than 20 sports
Online version: yes
The Tote was established in 1928. Back then, it was known as the Horserace Totalisator Board. Also known as the nanny, this Wigan-based bookie is still one of the most used British bookmakers. What makes The Tote unique is the fact that it was created by the UK government. Starting from 2011, it became a privately-owned company.
The Tote has dozens of betting shops across the UK. They have over 4000 employees too. Their website is not as popular as their land-based shops though. Just like many other UK-based bookmakers, this one has a license issued by the Government of Gibraltar and the UK Gambling Commission.
7. Stan James
Founded: 1973
Headquarters: Marina Bay, Gibraltar
License: UK Gambling Commission and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Number of sports offered: –
Online version: no
The first betting shop with the Stan James logo on it was launched in 1973 in Wantage, UK. This bookmaker was established by James Holder and Steve Fisher, two experienced bettors and members of the gambling community in the UK. Since the 1990s, Stan James became available on the Internet too.
This is one of the bookmakers that have managed to establish business relationships with different gambling companies like the Betdirect and BETKICK Sportwettenservice. In 2018, the website was terminated and all the accounts were redirected to Unibet. This decision was made after Unibet Group plc bought Stan James.
- Stan James was established in 1973 when the first betting shop was opened in Wantage, UK
- They have established their website in the late 1990s
- In 2018, Stan James was bought by Unibet Group
8. Ladbrokes
Founded: 1902
Headquarters: London, UK
License: UK Gambling Commission and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Number of sports offered: Over 35 sports
Online version: yes
Ladbrokes was founded in 1886, but this gambling company has started offering betting services to the public in 1902 when they’ve opened a few betting shops in London. Back in those days, most people were betting on horse racing. According to many sources, Ladbrokes is the oldest operating bookie in the world.
Just like in the case of many other bookmakers, they have merged with other companies and formed partnerships over the years. As expected, bettors can now find an online version of this bookie where they can place bets on more than 35 sports.
It’s good to know that Ladbrokes is owned and operated by GVC Holdings PLC today. This is a UK-based gambling company that takes care of a few other famous gambling brands including Foxy Casino, Sportingbet, and Bwin.
- According to many experts, Ladbrokes is the oldest operating bookmaker in the world
- They are headquartered in the UK
- This bookmaker is owned by an operator that manages a few other famous gambling brands
9. Paddy Power
Founded: 1988
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
License: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Number of sports offered: Over 35 sports
Online version: yes
It turns out that there are old bookies in Ireland too. Paddy Power is by far, the most famous Irish bookmaker that was established in 1988. This is a Dublin-based bookmaker that’s present on the Internet now. Paddy Power has hundreds of betting shops in the UK and Ireland. They are running the largest phone betting service in Ireland.
In addition to sports betting, Paddy Power is offering online bingo, online poker, and various online casino games. In 2016, Paddy Power has merged with Betfair. The company is now known as Paddy Power Betfair. Finally, we should mention that this bookmaker is sponsoring sports clubs and sporting events.
- Paddy Power is the oldest and most famous bookmaker in Ireland
- They have created a website in the 1990s
- Paddy Power has merged with another popular bookmaker (Betfair) in 2016
