{{Short description|British bookmaker based in London}} {{Infobox organization | name = Fitzdares | formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2006|03|17}} | founder = Balthazar Fabricius | headquarters = London | leader_title = William Woodhams | website = {{URL|https://fitzdares.com/sportsbook/|Homepage}} | logo = Fitzdares Logo.jpeg | services = {{bulleted list|Bookmaking|Sports betting|Online gambling}} | key_people = {{bulleted list|Zac Goldsmith|Ben Goldsmith}} }} '''Fitzdares''' is a British bookmaker established in 2006 by Balthazar Fabricius, with financial backing from Zac Goldsmith, Ben Goldsmith and James Osborne.<ref name="GQ">{{Cite web |title=Raising the stakes |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/fitzdares-bookmaker-backgammon |last=Foulkes |first=Nick |date=2013-10-29 |website=GQ}}</ref><ref name="FTMayfair">{{Cite web |title=Inside the world’s poshest bookies |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7ec80be4-16c6-486f-9161-fa3b4be8977c |last=Reid |first=Jamie |date=2020-10-12 |website=Financial Times}}</ref>
==History== Fitzdares' founder Fabricius worked in the different departments of Ladbrooks' betting business for three and a half years after qualifying for their graduate scheme.<ref name="GQ"/><ref name="FabriciousEssay">{{Cite web |title=Fitzdares: a safe bet |url=https://theweek.com/89794/fitzdares-a-safe-bet |last=Fabricius |first=Balthazar |date=2017-11-17 |website=The Week}}</ref>
In 2005, Fabricius approached Zac and Ben Goldsmith with his idea, proposing a bookmaker that would emphasise exclusivity and personal relationships. At the time, the majority of large bookmakers were moving their operations online, and Fabricius felt that a high-spending minority of sports fans would favour a upmarket bookmaker over a mass-market betting shop.<ref name="GQ"/><ref name="TheSpectator"/> The Goldsmiths liked the idea and backed it financially. Fitzdares obtained its gambling license in December 2005 and became operational in March 2006.<ref name="GQ"/>
In 2016, Fitzdares acquired telephone bookmaker Sunderlands, who had previously bought T Guntrip, dating back to 1882.<ref name="TownandHouse">{{Cite web |title=The bookmaker’s new home: ‘the world’s most luxurious sports bar’ |url=https://www.countryandtownhouse.com/brands-guide/fitzdares-club/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Country and Town House}}</ref><ref name="TheSpectator">{{Cite web |title=Old-fashioned values |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/old-fashioned-values/ |last=Oakley |first=Robin |date=2016-09-03 |access-date=2016-03-09 |website=The Spectator}}</ref> Fitzdares appointed William Woodhams as its CEO in 2018.<ref name="FTMayfair"/> Previously, Woodhams had worked for the French luxury goods conglomerate Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and a marketing consultancy advising other luxury brands.<ref name="FTMayfair"/> Since Woodhams' appointment the company launched a sports betting app.<ref name="FTMayfair"/><ref name="Tatler">{{Cite web |title=Inside Fitzdares - The world’s most luxurious sports club |url=https://www.tatler.com/article/inside-the-fitzdares-club |last=Lawler |first=Danielle |date=2020-08-14 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Tatler}}</ref><ref name="Standard23">{{Cite web |title=‘World’s poshest bookies’ Fitzdares on the hunt for new home |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/londoners-diary/londoners-diary-fitzdares-club-hunt-for-new-home-matt-hancock-app-james-bond-mps-struggle-with-maths-b1050717.html |last=Griffiths |first=Robbie |date=2023-01-05 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=The Standard}}</ref>
In 2020, Fitzdares opened a private sports and betting venue on Davies Street, London's Mayfair area. The club served approximately 2,000 members.<ref name="Standard23"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:British companies established in 2006 Category:British bookmakers Category:Companies based in London