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One of the pioneers in Australian bookmaking, Adelaide-based Terry Lillis has died aged 78.

Terry Lillis started his career as a satchel swinger more than 50 years ago and made his mark founding Centrebet, Australia's first corporate bookmaking agency, which transformed the betting landscape.

"He was an esteemed colleague, but also he was the man who started 24/7 betting,'' Chairman of the South Australian Bookmakers League, Warren Barrington said.

"He represented bookmaking as it should be.

"When we had a betting ring, he was alongside us, he was an old school bookmaker. He wasn't afraid to take a bet and he did have an opinion which seems to have fallen by the wayside,'' he said.

Senior TAB Media Communications Advisor Gerard Daffy was the face of Centrebet and close friend of Lillis and said it was a game changing time for the industry.

"We take it for granted now,'' Daffy said.

"Most things that happen now originated in Alice Springs (with Centrebet).

"We were the second business in the world to take a bet on the internet, he changed the landscape of the industry,'' he said.

Aside of his influence in racing and bookmaking, Lillis was a passionate Territorian who left a large impression during his years in Alice Springs.

"He was one of the most famous Territorians.'' Daffy said.

"He invested a lot of money in racing and infrastructure, he lived a very full life,'' he said.

Lillis enjoyed success as owner with the likes of Iglesia who finished fourth in a Golden Slipper and won a Group 3 Standish later in her career and in recent years was successful in combination with Morphettville horseman Will Clarken with Second Slip.