Cyril Stein

Who was Cyril Stein?

Cyril Stein was an English bookmaker, businessman and finally philanthropic supporter of many Jewish causes and charities who first bought Ladbrokes in 1956, then floated it in 1967 and finally left it in 1993.

Born in the East End of London into a family of migrants from Russia. His father, known as “Honest Jack”, worked for the London and Provincial Sporting News Agency, which relayed information between off-course bookmakers and racecourses. Cyril Stein was educated at West Ham Grammar School. Stein did his best to shun publicity and said one of his main concerns was to keep his family out of the limelight. He married Betty Young in 1949. He is survived by two sons, a daughter and several grandchildren.