Down the Bookies: The First 50 Years of Betting Shops

Licensed Betting Offices were legalised 50 years ago on 1st May 1961. This legalisation brought about a massive change in betting behaviour in Britain. Further liberalisation has prompted ground breaking innovations within the betting industry. "Two Score and Ten" tracks this interesting social tale, with facts, anecdotes and personal stories from industry insider John Samuels, a well-known bookmaker who has worked in the betting industry all of his life. Subjects covered in this fascinating and humourous history include stories about street runners, illegal betting, clock bags, tic tac language, fraud, race and match fixing, the horserace betting levy board, betting coups, money laundering, betting exchanges, and much more.