early 1900s bookmakers

[echokilo]

I know that my greta grandfather was an illegal (pub and street) bookmaker from at least around 1918 and probably continued most of his life as his death certificate (1972) lists him as a retired bookmaker....... thinking back to 1920s/1930s .... how it this work? ie how did they get the odds etc? did they have personal form knowledge? I have been told that a bet was placed without knowing the odds... and that the bets were settled from the newspaper odds the next day, but I don't follow this as how could the bookie guarantee to be covering his liabilities and make money? Confused!!!

[Ethel]

As a gambling debt wasn't enforceable in law, if the bookie didn't pay up - tough. But you'd never use him again, and you'd certainly tell all your acquaintances.

Different times - everyone knew everyone. Don't forget the majority of bets would be losers in every race, so the bookie never loses.

[echokilo]

Thanks Ethel - just trying to get a better understanding of social history of the time - I have been tracing tree for 3 years now and I have the facts and it's time to try and understand what they did etc....... I am right in thinking pub/on street gambling was illegal aren't I?

[ELVIS68]

Interesting story echokilo, I`ve often wondered how bookies worked before the legalisation of betting shops

I have heard stories from my grandad about how he used to place bets using a "bookies runner" which was a local lad who stood on the street corner collecting bets and passed them on to the bookie and unless you was at the actual race meeting the only way to find out if your horse had won was by the next days newspaper, and then you`d collect your winnings from the same lad the next day

A friend of mine takes bets in the pub from punters who can`t be arsed to walk over to the bookies, I asked him why he does it and he says that if ten people bet in a race, it`s unlikely that everyone bets on the same horse and if someone wins the payout comes from the other punters money, and if no one has backed the winner he`s quids in

He`s been hit a few times with a big payout but he says overall he always ends up infront

Do let us know if you find out anymore info

[echokilo]

I have met with a relative over the last few days who I have never met before and she remembers my great grandad well, as he and her father were step brothers and her father took the "round" as a bookie on from my g grandfather.

Apparently in the 1960s they had a small brick "shed" built as a base as they never to go legal as they were sick of being chased my the police!!

A great uncle of mine was lookout and would try to alert them if the police were around. Apparently punters had a kind of nickname they used when placing bets and often there would be no conversation - just the handing over of a scrap of paper noting the bet and the nickname, wrapped around the coins..... fascinating.

Just though I would post this for ELVIS68 and others who might be interested in the detail.... if I find more I shall post it for you to see.