Before the betting process even starts, our support functions are on hand to make everything run smoothly. Our entire IT infrastructure is supported by a complex range of IT systems which keep everything in our shops, support functions and online on the go. For a business that relies so heavily on advanced technology, they're vital to everything we do. Just as important are our other support departments such as Human Resources and Finance. Working in such a fast-moving environment, our support services need to be as dynamic as the betting markets themselves.
The story of a bet begins when we gather sports news and insight from all over the world. If it's worth knowing about, our Compiling team will know everything about it. They're the experts in their field who compile the odds our customers bet against.
In this team, you'll find our resident mathematical and statistical geniuses. They use quantitative data analysis and data modelling to predict what is likely to happen during any given sporting event. From the number of tackles in a football match, to the amount of aces in a Wimbledon final. They help to provide a vast range of odds on which people can bet - up to 70,000 a day!
Our data team takes the odds provided by our Compiling and Data Modelling teams. They then put the information on to our systems, display the markets and prices for our shops and online Sportsbook to use. Essentially acting as systems management, they have to make sure every piece of data is accurate and timely. What's more, they make sure it's right there at people's fingertips immediately.
Once the odds and prices are online and in our shops, Marketing make the product look even more attractive to customers. They build excitement around big sporting events and think of creative new ways to offer a bet. With only a few days between odds being created and the day of the event, it's fast-paced and challenging stuff.
As soon as Marketing have worked their magic, the story of the bet moves on to our Broadcast team. They produce content for screen displays, live TV, online and shop radio. The team is a mix of full time people with a bookmaking background, and experienced broadcasting professionals. It's all about providing an entertaining, competition beating betting information service to our customers.
Conditions are now perfect for our customers to place a bet. Everyone's up on the latest events, odds and prices. Now they're ready to have a flutter, customers can bet in our shops, over the phone, via the mobile app or through William Hill Online.
The whistle blows, the tape goes up, the lights go green. The big event gets going and it's time to cross those fingers as customers everywhere wait to see how the event unfolds. But our work doesn't stop there. We're constantly monitoring the state of play and adjusting the odds.
This is exciting, real-time stuff. Our In-play betting system uses highly sophisticated technology to monitor and adjust the odds as events unfold in real time. Our In-play Betting team trade live matches, much like city traders. This means as an event progresses, our prices adjust accordingly and our online Sportsbook updates right up until the final result.
Our In-play betting service is supported by our specialist IS team, Advanced Trading Systems. When an event goes live and prices start to move, this is called Trading. This is all based around what our customers are betting on and what's happening in the markets. Our trading systems adjust the odds and prices for customers to bet on during the event. The data our Traders produce not only appears online. It also supports marketing activity and is fed into by our data modelling team.
RacingManagement monitor the odds on the course. They adjust position based on prices, market conditions and volume of money to make an informed decision. The team also trade on racecourses as William Hill bookmakers. It's all done in real time and they need to know their customers. It's all about striking the right balance between offering customers the best odds and making sure we manage our liability.
The story of a bet ends when our customers collect their winnings. It's a great feeling when our customers win. What's more, it's a fast-moving process that takes a diverse mix of skills and personalities to make it happen. Without our support teams, we couldn't offer the great service that keeps our customers coming back for more. To see what role you could play in the story of a bet, why not search our latest jobs.