Bettting history in the UK

The first of May 1961 was a memorable day. Life became less complicated; legal betting shops opened their doors for the first time since the middle of the nineteenth century. One of them was located in obscure back alleys of Croydon, probably managed by a beautiful middle aged woman.

Acces denied

For over 100 years the public has been denied access to legal wager in cash. Betting shops made good profit during the first part of the 19th century; London alone had more than 400 operating shops. This all stopped completely in 1853, when the Betting Houses Act closed them down, and they would stay closed for more than a century. All the them, the government and punters were cooperatively working in a hypocritical alliance.

illegal bettingshops before 1961

Fred Done, now owing 256 betting shops, started at the young age of 15, in 1959 with his bookmaking business. Actually it was a family business; during those days no books were being kept, no income tax had to be paid and no betting duty was compulsory. Only the bribe to the police, which was two or three quid a week. Their service was formidable. They would even let you know if they were going to raid you.

Cyril Stein

One of the first men to realise the potential of betting shops was Cyril Stein of Ladbrokes. This man bought shops, no matter what the state or location did. It took some time before the regulation became laid back. Television screens were allowed in the shops, which a year later resulted in the live racing through satellite. Bookmakers were allowed to have two amusement-with-prizes machines and they were suddenly allowed to provide soft drinks and other beverages.

 Moreover they had approval to open in the evening and on Sundays. Unfortunately the 10 percent duty was driving punters to illegal bookmakers, who were stil operating in pubs, clubs and factories. A more optimistic view about the future can be seen in the market today. It looks like betting shops become slowly but surely changing in a mini Macau. Horse racing will be prospering and dog racing too. Betting on football will grow steadily as well.

Gamble themes in Japanese cartoons

For some reason the Japanese like to gamble, even if it is illegal. I do not know why, but a lot of adult anime, Japanese Cartoons, are based on this theme, or make a reference in one or multiple episodes. I will take some of the most famous anime and explain the gambling principle that is depicted in the anime.

Legendary Gambler Tetsuya

It is the year 1947, WWII just ended and Japan is struggling to rebuild the country. The people of Shinjuku, a Tokyo district, are down on luck. With barely enough money to get by, some people turn to gambling. Traveling Tetsuya chooses to spend his time at Mahjong parlors, where he is wiping the floor. However, when he meets the supernatural Boushu-san he realizes that his skills are barely enough.

Akagi

Akagi is a really good anime that starts on a stormy night and a betting game, Mahjong. The main character is playing a game of Mahjong with the local maffia of Japan, yakuza. Soon however he finds himself on a losing streak and needs to pay with his life. Out of the blue a young boy shows up. After watching a couple of games, this young boy offers to switch with the main character. From that moment on, a new legend is born. This anime is a killer and definately deserves to be called one of the best gambling anime ever written. 

Sailormoon references

The all famous anime Sailormoon. I think every girl watched this anime. I myself was forced by my sister, but one thing really got my attention. There were some episodes that really got my eye and the director surely love to depict the villains sometimes as gambling lovers. During the Sailormoon S episodes there are multiple created monsters that love gambling. However also in the first series there are some references to gambling. I do think however, that these depictions of gambling in Sailormoon was more or less a statement that gambling is bad, since it never occurred at the side of Sailormoon and her friends.

Of course there are a lot more anime that revolve around gambling, and recommendations can be put in the comment section. However, I cannot discuss every anime on itself. I just picked some out that I watched myself. However I do see a definite line between the evilness and gambling. Especially in the all good anime such as cardcaptor sakura and Sailormoon it is clear that the director wants to use the gambling theme and adds it to the bad side.

However, there is another dark side to Japan. A side that many foreigners do not see, or do not want to see. I do not mean gambling in particular but I aim at ignoring and sometimes idolizing of maffia themes. So, anime that focus on gambling as a 'good' thing also have a darker setting and a sad story of how the main character started gambling, it can never be about a guy or girl who just loves to take a gamble every now and then.