Georgina Moloney crowned the 2024 Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year

Georgina Moloney's customers told her that one day she would be crowned winner of the Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year competition and their prediction came true in London on Monday.

Moloney, 42, said she had never felt so proud after receiving her award from trainer Paul Nicholls.

The regional champion for Ireland, Moloney is a manager for BoyleSports in Raheen, County Limerick, who has been in the industry for 20 years following a short stint in hospitality. She started with Bambury bookmakers in 2004 before joining her current employers in 2017.

Moloney said she felt honoured to have won the award.

She added: "I'm so proud to be representing BoyleSports. I'm so proud to be representing myself and my team. This whole weekend has been fantastic, the competition has been unbelievable and thank you to the judges as well. I just can't believe I have won.

"I have a very good life and I have a great job. I love my job. I love dealing with people every day. It was my gift, I suppose, in life. BoyleSports, they saw me for what I was and they put me forward – they always believed in me."

Paul Nicholls with the eight regional Betting Shop Manager of the Year finalistsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Moloney also paid tribute to her fellow finalists.

She said: "I just couldn't be more proud, I feel so humble to be taking this because everyone who was in this competition, every single one is amazing. They all deserve this as well. You are all fantastic people and it was so good to meet everybody. I'm just so honoured.

"It's for everyone who is going to be joining the betting industry. It's a great industry to be in, I'm so proud to be part of it. It's such a safe place to be now and everybody should know that. It's a social network for everyone."

As well as thanking her family, her husband Dale – "my biggest supporter through this" – and daughter Alison, Moloney also praised her two deputy managers Geraldine Copley and Yvonne O'Regan.

"They are my right-hand women and between the three of us we actually have 84 years' experience," she said.

"The girls I work with day in and day out, they drive to have the best shop experience and I am so proud of my shop in Raheen. I am so proud of it and I am so proud of my staff."

Moloney said her customers would be pleased with the news, having told her that one day she would win the award.

She said: "The last couple of weeks I have been all about this, but I know they are going to be delighted. It's great for the shop as well.

"I have a lot of old customers who've been coming into the shop for 20 years and every year when the competition comes round they'll say, 'That will be you one day, George, that will be you', and it is today. I've never been so proud in my life."

As for the coming year as reigning champion, she added: "I can't wait, I am well up for it!"

Racing Post editor Tom Kerr certainly believes Moloney will represent her industry well.

He said: "Congratulations to all the finalists and particularly Georgina. Her enthusiasm for the job, her customers and staff shone through and she will be a fantastic champion representing all that is positive about betting shops."

Moloney's award was BoyleSports' second success in the competition following that of Michelle Fox in 2006.

Sinéadh Crowe, Head of Retail Operations for BoyleSports, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of what Georgina has achieved on Monday. To be selected as a finalist was already a wonderful accolade, but to be announced as Betting Shop Manager of the Year recognises all the hard work and dedication that Georgina and her team put in day in, day out.

“Georgina’s hard work, professionalism and commitment to both her team and her customers embodies everything we strive for at BoyleSports and this is testament to her outstanding contribution to our Raheen shop and the wider community.”

The eight regional champions were each interviewed, along with a key member of their shop team, on Sunday by a panel of judges before they reached a final decision.

The panel included former BHA chief executive Nick Rust, Ibas chief executive Richard Hayler, Helen Scott of SIS and broadcaster Tanya Stevenson.

Moloney will be invited to several key racing and betting events during her year as champion.

The seven other finalists were Sian Brown (Ladbrokes, Frinton-on-Sea), Shelley Enever (Jenningsbet, East Ham), Ethan Aitkenhead (Coral, Cardiff), Annette Garner (Betfred, Spennymoor), Jeanette Cross (Ladbrokes, Fleetwood), Tommy Rodger (Ladbrokes, Saltcoats) and Mark Orzechowski (Betfred, Taunton).

What the judges said

A fantastic group of ambassadors presented themselves to us, proving once again they are a valuable conduit to customers. Betting shop managers should have a louder voice in and for the betting industry. All over Britain and Ireland there are thousands working tirelessly in betting shops and we were privileged to meet just a few. It’s a crucial time politically and they have a vocabulary of wise words, so it’s time to take heed. Congratulations to Georgina who is sure to be a superb champion, passing on her knowledge and showing everyone how fantastic she is. Geraldine Copley, her colleague, deserves a special mention too.
Tanya Stevenson, broadcaster

Georgina is a superb betting shop manager who clearly demonstrated her leadership and people skills throughout the selection process – she obviously enjoys and excels at managing people whether they are her team members or the many customers she looks after from her local community. She will be an excellent ambassador for our industry and for all betting shop staff who brighten the day of hundreds of thousands of customers across these isles.
Nick Rust, former BHA chief executive

As always, it's been a privilege to be part of this prestigious competition and spend time with an amazing group of betting shop managers. Hearing their stories and witnessing their commitment to delivering a first-class experience to their customers has been a delight. The way they continually navigate and overcome the challenges that come their way is nothing short of exceptional. First, a huge well done to all eight of our regional champions – you should be incredibly proud of yourselves. Many congratulations to our newly crowned champion Georgina. Enjoy celebrating your success and wishing you all the best for the year ahead.
Helen Scott, SIS

All of the judges were struck by Georgina’s pride in her work, her passion for the shop she manages and how highly she is regarded by customers, colleagues and employers. It was striking how many of this year’s finalists talked defensively about their jobs, as if they arrived trying to counter a bad press and an unfair reputation. I can’t remember a year in the competition when so many of the finalists wanted a platform to set the record straight. The skillset for a top shop manager seems to be constantly evolving. Add ‘diplomat’ and ‘social worker’ to the job description from ten years ago. I hope opportunities can be found during the year to introduce some of the eight regional champions to people or groups who would benefit from hearing about the challenges of running a betting shop in 2024. That might be particularly true for our new Betting Shop Manager of the Year as Ireland begins to prepare for a new era of gambling regulation.
Richard Hayler, Ibas chief executive 

Congratulations to all eight finalists – it was a pleasure meeting them during this process. They are a credit to themselves and gave the judging panel a real insight into what is happening on the ground today in betting shops across Britain and Ireland in what is a critical time for the industry. They all articulated the positive part they play in their communities. Georgina will be a superb ambassador for everyone working in retail and I hope she enjoys the year ahead.
Andrew Pennington, Racing Post

Betting Shop Manager Of The Year Roll of Honour

1988 Willie Allison William Hill
1989 Peter Dagnall Coral
1990 Clive Eves Ladbrokes
1991 Peter Martin William Hill
1992 Barbara Holland Coral
1993 Jan Vince AR Dennis
1994 Eddie Amakoh Coral
1995 Martin Kelly Coral
1996 Ellen Killen Ladbrokes
1997 Leila Craig Coral
1998 Anthony O’Hara Stanley Racing
1999 Alan McEwan William Hill
2000 Gail Abbott Braybrook Racing
2001 Michael Hatton Coral
2002 Siobhan Gallagher Coral
2003 Jackie Sweeting William Hill
2004 Anita Graham Totesport
2005 Sean Holden Totesport
2006 Michelle Fox BoyleSports
2007 Steph Davies Coral
2008 Andrea Baker Coral
2009 Angie Bowers Ladbrokes
2010 Michael Demetriou Choicebet
2011 Andy Bennett Scotbet
2012 Barbara Berki William Hill
2013 Aidan Connolly Coral
2014 Adam Hurley Ladbrokes
2015 Matt Howe Ladbrokes
2016 Rob Mabbett Betfred
2017 Ron Hearn Jenningsbet
2018 Lorraine Archibald Ladbrokes
2019 Sandra Gilmartin Paddy Power
2022 James Maloney Star Sports
2023 Stacey Carnell Ladbrokes

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