How did you place bets on horse racingi n the 19th century?

Question

How did you place bets on horse racingi n the 19th century?

Answer 1

Until the introduction of betting shops in 1961 betting for cash was illegal except on the racecourse. However you could bet on credit if you were trusted to pay your bills. In local communities however there were bookies' runners who used to take bets but they were liable to be prosecuted if they were found to be in possession of betting slips, so they were renowned for having good memories as to which of their clients bet what. There were also one or two private householders in every community who used to take bets and their premises were always liable to be "raided" but generally the police used to tolerate them unless a neighbour complained of the comings and goings past their doorway. Odds for big races ante post were "called over" in the Victoria Club in London, usually I think on a Monday, but whether cash was allowed here I do not know.

Answer 2

In the UK the only legal way was to go to a race course and place bets there. YOU COULD ALWAYS OF COURSE BET WITH A FRIEND ON THE RESULT.

Answer 3

The first automatic totalisator was invented by Sir George Julius in Australia in 1913. Before then people placed bets with quite talented human bookies.

Answer 4

You could only place bets at the race course.  Best answer please :)

Answer 5

I didn't place bets on horses in the 19th century because I wasn't born yet.

People placed bets with bookies at the tracks.