Shirley Lavarack

Well, this is a profile with a difference - South Africa’s first female bookmaker - in what has typically been a male-dominated profession. Shirley was brought up in a middle-class family with no connection to bookmaking. At age 16, she obtained work in a totalisator agency. Shirley got the bug and determined this was her go. She worked for a number of bookmakers including a time where she was on a percentage. Having saved enough money, she purchased an outlet in 1990. Her husband, an engineer, soon joined the business and in 1994 Shirley was granted a licence to field at the track. The business grew over the next 26 years to 13 outlets and over 400 staff. Shirley’s daughter, Kerryn, also became a bookmaker - the youngest ever in South Africa and only the second female licensed on the track.

In 2016 Shirley sold her business and emigrated to Australia - a decision she has never regretted. This followed 25 armed robberies of her betting shops and one fatality, over a period of 12 months.

Looking for something to stimulate her mind, Shirley joined WABC in 2017 and took lessons from Peter Smith. Shirley’s philosophy of bookmaking was ‘it’s not the money that keeps me here - it’s the thrill and uncertainty’. Well, bridge is much the same, and like every card game, there is an element of risk, uncertainty and ultimately, gambling. If you’ve played against Shirley, you will see the mind ticking over balancing risk and reward. And by the way, she’s a very canny player.

John Nelson, Editor

July 2022 edition of Trumps Plus