Victor Chandler International
Encyclopedia
Victor Chandler International is one of Britain’s leading independent bookmakers, specialising in online sports betting
, casino
, poker
and games. The company is named after its chairman, Victor Chandler
, and its operational headquarters are in Gibraltar
.
. William Chandler was succeeded by Victor's father, also named Victor. Victor Sr. died suddenly in 1974 and the business passed over to Victor Jr., who at the time was working in the hotel
industry in Spain
. Shortly after assuming control of the family business, Chandler lost one of the business' integral assets; prime racecourse pitches and began concentrating on other aspects of developing his firm, namely credit betting through laying bets to high rolling businessmen in the Far East
. The company now claims to turn over in excess of £1billion and have over a half a million customers in more than 160 different countries.
to avoid UK gambling tax. His move to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar
led to other bookmaking firms Ladbrokes
and Stan James
following Chandler in setting up businesses in the small peninsula
. Victor Chandler is seen as responsible for Gordon Brown
abolishing gambling tax in his 2001 budget..
Thanks to Chandler's foresight and business accumen the doors were opened to Gibraltar becoming a worldwide hub for online gaming with numerous sportsbook, casino and poker licenses awarded to most of the world's largest gaming firms. In 2004, the company was renamed 'VC Bet' for branding reasons although in late 2008 Chandler himself chose to revert the name to 'Victor Chandler'.
at Ascot racecourse
, the Victor Chandler British Masters golf tournament and the grade 1 listed Nunthorpe Stakes
from 2000–2004 as the Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes
and then 2005–2006 as the VCBET Nunthorpe Stakes
. The Victor Chandler Chase
has become, for many , a yardstick for one of the Cheltenham Festival
's showpiece events, the Queen Mother Champion Chase
.
In 2004 and 2005 Victor Chandler International ran a televised poker tournament called the Victor Chandler Poker Cup
which became established as one of the richest events on the circuit. With £250,000 to the tournament's first winner, Harry Demetriou
and then £200,000 won in its second year by Tony Bloom
, the competition attracted well known professionals from all over the world. Combine that with celebrity appearances from John McCririck
, Teddy Sheringham
, Ken Doherty
and Eastenders
' very own, 'Beppe di Marco
', Michael Greco
, the event commanded substantial viewing figures from the seven hour-long programmes shown on Sky Sports 2.
Victor Chandler International currently sponsors the professional European Tour golfer
, Graeme Storm
and professional snooker players, 'The Darlin' of Dublin', Ken Doherty
, 'On-Fire Maguire', Stephen Maguire
and, 'The Outlaw', Joe Swail
.
Victor Chandler International is currently one of four official betting partners of the TV channel Racing UK
.
On Wednesday 8 July 2009 Victor Chandler International announced they will sponsor Coca-Cola Championship team Nottingham Forest F.C.
during the 2009–2010 football season for a "six figure fee". The name Victor Chandler will appear on the front of home, away and goalkeeper shirts, as well as on replica adult shirts. At the same time they also announced that former Forest legend Viv Anderson
has joined the company as Football Ambassador. As part of the sponsorship deal, Victor pledged to supporters he would buy each person with a season ticket, and a VC Bet account, a new season ticket for the 2010/11 season should Forest win the Football League Championship
.
and the surrounding area to the Gala Coral Group that operate Coral Bookmakers in March 2006. Despite the sale of the majority of the licenses, Chandler kept hold of the properties in Deanery Street, Mayfair
, London
and the Dublin betting lounge on Upper Baggot Street, and 14 shops in Scotland carry the Victor Chandler brand.
. Initially Chandler will open an office Cape Town
from which it will operate an Internet Sports Betting Business. Victor Chandler International CEO Michael Carlton appeared on the Business Show on Summit TV to discuss the new operation.
Sports betting
Sports betting is the activity of predicting sports results and placing a wager on the outcome.-United States of America:Aside from simple wagers such as betting a friend that one's favorite baseball team will win its division or buying a football "square" for the Super Bowl, sports betting is...
, casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
, poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
and games. The company is named after its chairman, Victor Chandler
Victor Chandler
Victor Chandler is chairman of the company that bears his name, Victor Chandler International.Frequently styled ‘The Gentleman Bookmaker’, in 2006 The Racing Post described Chandler as "arguably the most famous bookmaker in the world...
, and its operational headquarters are in Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
.
History
The company was founded in 1946 by Chandler's grandfather, William Chandler, after several years ownership of Walthamstow StadiumWalthamstow Stadium
Walthamstow Stadium was a greyhound racing track located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest in east London and was one of a limited number of remaining greyhound race tracks operating in Greater London...
. William Chandler was succeeded by Victor's father, also named Victor. Victor Sr. died suddenly in 1974 and the business passed over to Victor Jr., who at the time was working in the hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
industry in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Shortly after assuming control of the family business, Chandler lost one of the business' integral assets; prime racecourse pitches and began concentrating on other aspects of developing his firm, namely credit betting through laying bets to high rolling businessmen in the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
. The company now claims to turn over in excess of £1billion and have over a half a million customers in more than 160 different countries.
Off-shore Bookmaking & Gibraltar
With the knowledge accrued from catering to customers in foreign climes, Chandler sought the answer to offering a duty-free service to his customers and in 1998 took the historic step of taking his entire business off-shoreOffshoring
Offshoring describes the relocation by a company of a business process from one country to another—typically an operational process, such as manufacturing, or supporting processes, such as accounting. Even state governments employ offshoring...
to avoid UK gambling tax. His move to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
led to other bookmaking firms Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes plc is a British based gambling company. It is based in Rayners Lane in Harrow, London owned by Bhavin Kakaiya. From 14 May 1999 to 23 February 2006, when it owned the Hilton hotel brand outside the United States, it was known as Hilton Group plc...
and Stan James
Stan James
Stan James is a British bookmaker established in 1973, and trades online under the name StanJames.com. The company is based in Marina Bay, Gibraltar with offices in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The companies which operate Stan James, Stan James Limited and Stan James Limited, are privately-held companies...
following Chandler in setting up businesses in the small peninsula
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
. Victor Chandler is seen as responsible for Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
abolishing gambling tax in his 2001 budget..
Thanks to Chandler's foresight and business accumen the doors were opened to Gibraltar becoming a worldwide hub for online gaming with numerous sportsbook, casino and poker licenses awarded to most of the world's largest gaming firms. In 2004, the company was renamed 'VC Bet' for branding reasons although in late 2008 Chandler himself chose to revert the name to 'Victor Chandler'.
Sponsorship
Victor Chandler International has sponsored several sporting events over the years, most notably the grade 1 listed Victor Chandler ChaseVictor Chandler Chase
The Victor Chandler Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong , and during its running there are thirteen fences to be jumped...
at Ascot racecourse
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
, the Victor Chandler British Masters golf tournament and the grade 1 listed Nunthorpe Stakes
Nunthorpe Stakes
The Nunthorpe Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
from 2000–2004 as the Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes
Nunthorpe Stakes
The Nunthorpe Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
and then 2005–2006 as the VCBET Nunthorpe Stakes
Nunthorpe Stakes
The Nunthorpe Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
. The Victor Chandler Chase
Victor Chandler Chase
The Victor Chandler Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong , and during its running there are thirteen fences to be jumped...
has become, for many , a yardstick for one of the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
's showpiece events, the Queen Mother Champion Chase
Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are twelve fences to be jumped...
.
In 2004 and 2005 Victor Chandler International ran a televised poker tournament called the Victor Chandler Poker Cup
Victor Chandler Poker Cup
The Victor Chandler Poker Cup was a poker tournament held in 2004 and 2005 in England for broadcast on Sky Sports....
which became established as one of the richest events on the circuit. With £250,000 to the tournament's first winner, Harry Demetriou
Harry Demetriou
Charidimos Demetriou is a British poker player.-World Series of Poker:Demetriou first became known in poker circles for his 3rd place finish at the $2,000 no limit Texas hold 'em tournament at the 2002 World Series of Poker won by Layne Flack...
and then £200,000 won in its second year by Tony Bloom
Tony Bloom
Anthony Grant "Tony" Bloom is a football club chairman and successful poker player.-Poker and betting:Bloom made a name for himself as a successful sports bettor and property investor...
, the competition attracted well known professionals from all over the world. Combine that with celebrity appearances from John McCririck
John McCririck
John McCririck is an English television horse racing pundit. He is notable not only for his racing opinions but also for his old-fashioned style of dress and mannerisms...
, Teddy Sheringham
Teddy Sheringham
Edward Paul "Teddy" Sheringham MBE is a retired English footballer, and the father of footballer Charlie Sheringham. Sheringham played as a striker, and had a successful career at the club level, winning almost every domestic honour available with his clubs, most notably the Treble with Manchester...
, Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
and Eastenders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
' very own, 'Beppe di Marco
Beppe di Marco
Beppe di Marco is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Michael Greco.Beppe was his family's pride and joy, so it was a big shock to them when he was fired from the police force for attempting to frame local hardman Grant Mitchell...
', Michael Greco
Michael Greco
Michael Greco is an English actor and poker player. He was educated in Surrey, England at Reigate College. Internet rumours claim he was born in Dunbar, Scotland, but Greco himself states that this is false, and that he grew up in London....
, the event commanded substantial viewing figures from the seven hour-long programmes shown on Sky Sports 2.
Victor Chandler International currently sponsors the professional European Tour golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
, Graeme Storm
Graeme Storm
Graeme Raymond Storm is an English professional golfer.Storm was born in Hartlepool. He learnt his trade at Hartlepool Golf Club, where he still holds the course record of 62...
and professional snooker players, 'The Darlin' of Dublin', Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
, 'On-Fire Maguire', Stephen Maguire
Stephen Maguire
Stephen Maguire is a Scottish professional snooker player.-Early career:Maguire almost qualified for the 2000 World Championships, leading eventual semi-finalist Joe Swail 9–6 in the final qualifying round before losing 9–10, but first served notice of his true potential by knocking out Stephen...
and, 'The Outlaw', Joe Swail
Joe Swail
-External links:*...
.
Victor Chandler International is currently one of four official betting partners of the TV channel Racing UK
Racing UK
Racing UK Limited was launched as a subscription channel in 2004 with 30 racecourses as shareholders. As Racing UK grew several other business units and joint ventures were developed....
.
On Wednesday 8 July 2009 Victor Chandler International announced they will sponsor Coca-Cola Championship team Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
during the 2009–2010 football season for a "six figure fee". The name Victor Chandler will appear on the front of home, away and goalkeeper shirts, as well as on replica adult shirts. At the same time they also announced that former Forest legend Viv Anderson
Viv Anderson
Vivian Alexander "Viv" Anderson MBE is an English football player and coach, who played for clubs including Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday in the 1970s and 1980s...
has joined the company as Football Ambassador. As part of the sponsorship deal, Victor pledged to supporters he would buy each person with a season ticket, and a VC Bet account, a new season ticket for the 2010/11 season should Forest win the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
.
Retail
Chandler sold the licenses of 41 betting shops in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and the surrounding area to the Gala Coral Group that operate Coral Bookmakers in March 2006. Despite the sale of the majority of the licenses, Chandler kept hold of the properties in Deanery Street, Mayfair
Mayfair
Mayfair is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster.-History:Mayfair is named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place on the site that is Shepherd Market today...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and the Dublin betting lounge on Upper Baggot Street, and 14 shops in Scotland carry the Victor Chandler brand.
South Africa
In November 2009 Victor Chandler announced that they had secured a Sports Betting Licence for South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Initially Chandler will open an office Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
from which it will operate an Internet Sports Betting Business. Victor Chandler International CEO Michael Carlton appeared on the Business Show on Summit TV to discuss the new operation.