With attendances at the pictures increasing throughout the war years, local business cinema ads in Castleford in 1941 make the most of the need for nutritious food (milk), and for morale boosting sporting entertainment and having the odd flutter on the greyhounds.  Although there were calls for gambling to be made illegal during the war, the government took the view that betting sports were ‘entertainments’, and therefore it wasn’t good for morale to be stopping them. Yet, despite being only...

With attendances at the pictures increasing throughout the war years, local business cinema ads in Castleford in 1941 make the most of the need for nutritious food (milk), and for morale boosting sporting entertainment and having the odd flutter on the greyhounds. 

Although there were calls for gambling to be made illegal during the war, the government took the view that betting sports were ‘entertainments’, and therefore it wasn’t good for morale to be stopping them. Yet, despite being only second to football in popularity, greyhound racing was severely curtailed during the war.  Clearly it continued to thrive in Castleford in 1941, which had two greyhound racing courses.  Betting was legal at sporting venues, although street betting shops were illegal at the time – bets had to be posted – which gives added interest to the ad for the local turf accountant.  But note the tag line, “Bet with the man you know.”