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Did state lotteries eliminate the numbers racket
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NadCixelsyd
Oct 24, 2012, 9:28:58 PM10/24/12
to
When I was a kid, the "mob" ran a numbers racket based upon a random
number like the last three digits of the national debt, or the total
take at a race track.
One argument for state lotteries was that it would put illegal numbers
out of business and put the profits into state coffers. Did it do
that? Did organized crime cease the numbers racket?
With the multitude of gambling options, do bookies still take bets on
horse/dog races?
number like the last three digits of the national debt, or the total
take at a race track.
One argument for state lotteries was that it would put illegal numbers
out of business and put the profits into state coffers. Did it do
that? Did organized crime cease the numbers racket?
With the multitude of gambling options, do bookies still take bets on
horse/dog races?
Howard Hola Hail
Oct 25, 2012, 9:03:52 AM10/25/12
to
NadCixelsyd <nadci...@aol.com> wrote:
> When I was a kid, the "mob" ran a numbers racket based upon a random
> number like the last three digits of the national debt, or the total
> take at a race track.
>
> One argument for state lotteries was that it would put illegal numbers
> out of business and put the profits into state coffers. Did it do
> that? Did organized crime cease the numbers racket?
This article from 2005 says illegal numbers games still exist but they're
> When I was a kid, the "mob" ran a numbers racket based upon a random
> number like the last three digits of the national debt, or the total
> take at a race track.
>
> One argument for state lotteries was that it would put illegal numbers
> out of business and put the profits into state coffers. Did it do
> that? Did organized crime cease the numbers racket?
not as big a deal as they used to be. Prior to legalization, there were
thousands employed in NYC in illegal numbers.
http://www.brooklynrail.org/2005/05/local/the-brand-new-same-old-hustle
They cite things like better odds and payouts in illegal games compared
to legal games which gave them a lifeline. Other sites say things like
under the table payoffs, telephone betting and betting on credit as other
ways that illegal numbers games stay alive.
> With the multitude of gambling options, do bookies still take bets on
> horse/dog races?
games.
bobg
Oct 25, 2012, 10:57:00 AM10/25/12
to
On Thursday, October 25, 2012 9:03:55 AM UTC-4, Howard Hola Hail wrote:
> NadCixelsyd <nadci...@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > When I was a kid, the "mob" ran a numbers racket based upon a random
>
> > number like the last three digits of the national debt, or the total
>
> > take at a race track.
>
> >
>
> > One argument for state lotteries was that it would put illegal numbers
>
> > out of business and put the profits into state coffers. Did it do
>
> > that? Did organized crime cease the numbers racket?
>
>
>
> This article from 2005 says illegal numbers games still exist but they're
>
> not as big a deal as they used to be. Prior to legalization, there were
>
> thousands employed in NYC in illegal numbers.
>
>
>
> http://www.brooklynrail.org/2005/05/local/the-brand-new-same-old-hustle
>
>
>
> They cite things like better odds and payouts in illegal games compared
>
> to legal games which gave them a lifeline.
The mathematically-savvy gambler (if he exists) should prefer
> NadCixelsyd <nadci...@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > When I was a kid, the "mob" ran a numbers racket based upon a random
>
> > number like the last three digits of the national debt, or the total
>
> > take at a race track.
>
> >
>
> > One argument for state lotteries was that it would put illegal numbers
>
> > out of business and put the profits into state coffers. Did it do
>
> > that? Did organized crime cease the numbers racket?
>
>
>
> This article from 2005 says illegal numbers games still exist but they're
>
> not as big a deal as they used to be. Prior to legalization, there were
>
> thousands employed in NYC in illegal numbers.
>
>
>
> http://www.brooklynrail.org/2005/05/local/the-brand-new-same-old-hustle
>
>
>
> They cite things like better odds and payouts in illegal games compared
>
> to legal games which gave them a lifeline.
the illegal numbers game - like all lotteries, it's a sucker
bet, but it's at least a BETTER sucker bet than any state-run
version.
When NJ started the first legal (state-run) "numbers" game in
the 1970's, an acquaintance of mine was able to make a nice side
income by buying lots of $.50 tickets every week in NJ and selling
them for $1.00 in Boston. I don't think there's any bet you can
make in Vegas that has that low an Expected Value.
Shawn Wilson
Oct 25, 2012, 2:12:45 PM10/25/12
to
On Oct 25, 7:57 am, bobg <byo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> When NJ started the first legal (state-run) "numbers" game in
> the 1970's, an acquaintance of mine was able to make a nice side
> income by buying lots of $.50 tickets every week in NJ and selling
> them for $1.00 in Boston. I don't think there's any bet you can
> make in Vegas that has that low an Expected Value.
Lottery, Pick 3, pays 50 cents on the dollar. Illegal numbers rackets
> When NJ started the first legal (state-run) "numbers" game in
> the 1970's, an acquaintance of mine was able to make a nice side
> income by buying lots of $.50 tickets every week in NJ and selling
> them for $1.00 in Boston. I don't think there's any bet you can
> make in Vegas that has that low an Expected Value.
typoically paid 70 cents on the dollar, Vegas pays typically 90 cents
on the dollar.
D.F. Manno
Oct 26, 2012, 2:33:55 PM10/26/12
to
In article
<27dc35d2-a4b4-4deb...@h16g2000vby.googlegroups.com>,
1) Numbers writers take bets of less than $1; lotteries do not.
2) Numbers writers do not report winnings to the IRS; lotteries do.
3) Numbers writers extend credit; lotteries do not.
4) Numbers writers pay off in cash on the same day; you have to wait for
a check from the lotteries for the larger payouts.
5) Numbers writers generally offer better payoffs, usually 600-1;
lotteries pay 500-1 or less on daily numbers.
About the only thing that has changed is that the numbers racket in many
places no longer has its own number; it accepts bets and pays off on the
state's daily number.
--
D.F. Manno | dfm...@mail.com
GOP delenda est!
<27dc35d2-a4b4-4deb...@h16g2000vby.googlegroups.com>,
NadCixelsyd <nadci...@aol.com> wrote:
> When I was a kid, the "mob" ran a numbers racket based upon a random
> number like the last three digits of the national debt, or the total
> take at a race track.
>
> One argument for state lotteries was that it would put illegal numbers
> out of business and put the profits into state coffers. Did it do
> that?
No, it did not, for several reasons:
> When I was a kid, the "mob" ran a numbers racket based upon a random
> number like the last three digits of the national debt, or the total
> take at a race track.
>
> One argument for state lotteries was that it would put illegal numbers
> out of business and put the profits into state coffers. Did it do
> that?
1) Numbers writers take bets of less than $1; lotteries do not.
2) Numbers writers do not report winnings to the IRS; lotteries do.
3) Numbers writers extend credit; lotteries do not.
4) Numbers writers pay off in cash on the same day; you have to wait for
a check from the lotteries for the larger payouts.
5) Numbers writers generally offer better payoffs, usually 600-1;
lotteries pay 500-1 or less on daily numbers.
About the only thing that has changed is that the numbers racket in many
places no longer has its own number; it accepts bets and pays off on the
state's daily number.
--
D.F. Manno | dfm...@mail.com
GOP delenda est!
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