Bombay Football Betting Coupons (1940–1950)
Overview
[edit]This page documents football betting coupons published in Bombay newspapers between 1940 and 1950. These coupons promoted English football pool competitions to Indian readers and reflect the commercial and cultural presence of British sports betting practices in colonial and early post-independence India.
Scope of the Collection
[edit]- City: Bombay
- Period covered: 1940–1950
- Material type: Newspaper betting coupons and related advertisements
- Subject focus: English football pools
1947
[edit]January 1947
[edit]
This newspaper cutting shows a football betting coupon distributed in Bombay in January 1947. The coupon lists English football matches and invites readers to predict outcomes using a numerical marking system. Participation was priced at two annas per attempt.
The advertisement prominently features the branding of Littlewood’s, described as the world’s largest football pool promoter. The form also notes that the competition was licensed by the Collector of Bombay, indicating official administrative oversight of betting activities during this period.
Administrative and Legal Context
[edit]Football betting promotions appearing in Bombay newspapers during the 1940s operated under permissions granted by colonial authorities. Explicit licensing references printed on coupons suggest regulated, rather than clandestine, gambling practices.
Historical Significance
[edit]The presence of such coupons in Bombay newspapers highlights the role of print media as both information carriers and transactional platforms. It also illustrates the reach of British sporting culture into Indian urban life in the years immediately preceding independence.
Future Additions
[edit]Additional football betting coupons, newspaper variants, or related advertisements from Bombay within the 1940–1950 period will be added to this page under the appropriate year headings.