There was a long-standing tradition of professionalism, which centred around jockeys and pugilists for the most part. 
Sporting gentlemen of the pre-Victorian period saw no harm in making money through playing games so long as this was a matter of gambling; nor did they mind mixing with others of a lower class, who <tag "515647">derived</> the bulk of their income in this way, provided distinctions of birth were recognized and preserved.   

