Michael Barry Tabor was born in October 1941 in Forest Gate, East London.
Tabor went to East Ham Grammar School and left at 15 to get a job at a local Co-op. He nearly became a hairdresser after going to Morris School of Hairdressing but he decided to take another route which would later be a very good decision. His father was in the glassmaking industry but also had a business interest with a bookmaker at Romford Greyhound track for which Michael caught the bug. He would go to Hendon Greyhound stadium in North London on Monday and Friday afternoons as well as regularly attending White City.
He started working for other bookmakers and agents and then in 1968 he decided to start his own. He borrowed £30,000 to purchase two failing betting shops called Arthur Prince from Andrew Gordon. From that modest beginning he expanded his shop portfolio into a chain of 114 betting shops. Fast forward a few years to 1995 he sold the Arthur Prince chain to Coral for roughly £27‐28 million which gave him both capital and credibility for the next stages of his business life.
Having bought his first racehorse back in 1973 called Toronado Prince which was trained by Neville Callaghan in Newmarket he decided from the sale of his shops he would expand his interests in the venture. He became deeply involved in the world’s premier racing operations in partnership with John Magnier, Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith, and others at Coolmore Stud, the Irish breeding and training powerhouse.
Some of Tabor’s high-profile successes include horses such as Thunder Gulch who won the Kentucky Derby as well as the Belmont Stakes, Galileo, Montjeu, High Chaparral and Camelot. These horses didn’t just win races, they became valuable stallions or broodmares which generated ongoing income from stud fees, breeding rights and offspring.
Although Tabor is known for his association with Coolmore breeding operation and gambling he also has diversified. He had purchased 450 Park Avenue, New York in 2007 through his family trust alongside Somerset Partners. This office block went on to auction in 2013. His interest in property extends to Sandy Lane hotel in Barbados which he co-owns with JP McManus, Joe Lewis, Dermot Desmond, Derrick Smith and John Magnier. High profile celebrities to visit the resort are Phillip Green and Simon Cowell who attend every Christmas, Michael Winner, Hugh Grant and Joan Collins. It is also known that Golfer Tiger Woods had his wedding in the gardens of the resort.
Michael Tabor – The Driving Force Behind BetVictor Casino
Michael Tabor, one of Britain’s most influential businessmen and long-time figures in the world of betting and horse racing, became the sole owner of BetVictor Casino in 2014. His takeover marked a new era for the brand, combining decades of gambling industry experience with a vision for digital innovation and international growth.
From Bookmaker to Billionaire
Before acquiring BetVictor, Tabor was already a familiar name in gambling circles. In the 1970s and 1980s, he built a successful chain of betting shops under the Arthur Prince brand, which he later sold to Coral for a substantial profit. This move laid the foundations for his fortune and deepened his understanding of the bookmaker business — a background that would prove invaluable when he turned his attention to online casinos and sports betting.
Full Acquisition of BetVictor
In May 2014, Michael Tabor officially took full control of BetVictor, purchasing the company from its founder, Victor Chandler, often referred to as “The Gentleman Bookmaker.” While the financial details of the deal were never made public, the acquisition was significant — marking the end of Chandler’s family ownership and the start of Tabor’s stewardship.
The transition was smooth and closely overseen by the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, the regulatory body that licenses BetVictor’s operations. Following the acquisition, both Victor Chandler and former CEO Michael Carlton stepped back from daily management but continued in consulting roles to ensure continuity during the handover.
Strengthening BetVictor’s Global Presence
Under Michael Tabor’s leadership, BetVictor evolved from a traditional sportsbook into a fully-fledged international gaming brand. His strategy focused on:
- Expanding the new UK online casino with a stronger selection of slots, live dealer games, and jackpots.
- Modernising technology, leading to the rebrand of the group under a new identity — BVGroup — to reflect its multi-brand, multi-platform ambitions.
- Enhancing user experience, with faster payments, new bonuses, and innovative gaming software partnerships.
This forward-thinking approach allowed BetVictor to maintain a strong foothold in competitive markets, including the UK, Ireland, and Europe, while pushing into emerging global territories.
Ownership and Control
Public company filings confirm that Michael Tabor holds more than 75% ownership of BetVictor On Course Limited, the primary company behind the brand. This level of control gives him significant influence over corporate direction, marketing strategy, and brand partnerships.
Under his ownership, the company has remained privately held, allowing for greater agility in decision-making and reinvestment into new markets and technology.
A Legacy of Growth and Stability
Michael Tabor’s tenure at BetVictor has been marked by stability, expansion, and adaptability. While some traditional betting operators have struggled with regulatory pressure and changing consumer habits, BetVictor has consistently adapted — focusing on player satisfaction, technology, and responsible gaming.
The brand’s transformation under Tabor’s guidance has ensured it remains a trusted and competitive name in the ever-evolving online gambling landscape.
Tabor and business partners also had large shares in pub chains Mitchells and Butlers and fitness clubs Next Generation which they later went on to sell.
In 2008 Tabor backed his son Ashley Tabor-King to buy GCap Media who own Capital radio and Classic FM in a deal worth 375 million making them the largest radio group in the United Kingdom.
In 1996 Tabor failed in an attempt to buy his beloved West Ham who he has supported since he was a young boy. The soon to become 84 year old businessman now spends his time between Monaco, Barbados and London with his estimated net worth 700 million.