Victor Chandler, the most recognisable face in bookmaking, tells his remarkablelife story in 'Put Your Life On It: Staying At The Top in the Cut-throat World ofGambling.'In this new authorised biography written by Jamie Reid, Chandler will reveal howgambling was in his blood from birth. Discover how his grandfather dealt withDarby Sabini's Italian mob, Alfie Solomons and the real Peaky Blinders. How hisfather, Victor senior, built up the firm only for illness to force 'Young Victor' intothe fray at the age of 23 - the start of a high life and fast times.

To begin with, he found the going tough. He almost accepted an offer to sell upfrom Playboy Bookmakers. But fortunately he stuck with it just in time to enjoyhis first profitable Royal Ascot and from then on there was no going back.

In the face of the UK recession in the 1990s he went out to the Far East andbegan duelling audaciously with colossal Asian punters while dodging theattentions of the Triads in Hong Kong and Macau. Then at the end of thedecade he sparked a revolution by moving his entire business offshore toGibraltar; he is often credited with being the first to take gambling online. Victor shares his often hilarious memories of 40 years of a high-octane racingand bookmaking life, populated by a huge cast of colourful characters includingthe artist Lucian Freud, who painted 'VC' as well as betting with him.