Leonard Steinberg, Baron Steinberg, who died on 2 November, 2009, aged 73, was a Northern Irish businessman who made a vast fortune with his betting firm Stanley Leisure.

He founded it in his hometown of Belfast in 1958, opening a chain of bookmakers. In 1979 he became embroiled in the sectarian struggles and was forced to move to Liverpool after his refusal to pay protection money led to attempts on his life.

He continued to expand his business, eventually having 650 shops and 40 casinos under the Stanley Leisure banner. He employed more than 7,000 people and his personal fortune was over £100 million.

He was made a life peer in 2004 and sat in the House of Lords for the Conservative Party. In the same year he sold off most of his business between William Hill and the Genting Group.

As well as his Northern Irish heritage and political leanings, he was also proud of his Jewish routes, serving as president of the Northern Ireland Friends of Israel group. He was also a keen cricket fan and presided over Lancashire CCC from 2007.

He was survived by his wife, Beryl, and two children.