'Why I bet £900k on the Scottish referendum'

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on

Written by :

Gilbert Horowitz

Published on :

The BBC spoke to an anonymous individual who bet £900k on the NO to Scottish independence.  He has the check to prove it.

He tells the BBC:

I made the bet in four installments but I'd always planned to wage £900,000. I staggered it in the hope that the odds would improve closer to the time - they didn't. The best I got was 1-4. So for every £4 I bet, I'd get £5 back.

So although I received a cheque for £1,093,333.33, my actual winnings were just under £200,000.

The first time I walked in to the William Hill I tried to place a bet of £400,000. The bookies weren't set up to take it. They could only process £9,000 deposits at a time so it would have taken almost a whole day of separate transactions. By the time we organised a better solution the next day, the odds had worsened.

I've had a career in finance in which I've had to make projections and limit risk as much as possible. These were my savings, my money, but I felt I'd done enough research to be sure of the outcome.

William Hill, England’s biggest bookmaker, confirmed the bet. 

The Scottish referendum was the most wagered on political event ever.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com

Related Content

Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino

May 2026 Casino Promotions & Events at Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino

Gambling911.com has obtained the May 2026 promos and events schedule for our friends at the Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino.
Gambling911 Top Trending

Live Gambling News, Top Trending: Updates 24/7 - Saturday April 25, 2026

Live News: - Ghislaine Maxwell Pardon - NFL Draft - PlayerProtect by BetOnline - Iran Conflict
Raing Rhino

Where Can I Play the Raging Rhino Double Danger Slot Online?

Raging Rhino Double Danger is a safari-themed 6x4 slot from Light & Wonder (formerly Scientific Games).
Alex Cora

Red Sox Fire Manager Alex Cora Amid Huge Coaching Shakeup: Boston Odds Plunge

The Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and five members of his coaching staff Saturday in a stunning early season overhaul with the club sitting in last place in the American League East with a 10-17 record.