Podcast Summary: Scratch & Win - Part 3: Have You Played Your Number?

Release Date: February 5, 2025 | Host: Ian Coss | Produced by GBH News

Introduction to the Numbers Game

In Part 3 of the "Scratch & Win" series, host Ian Coss delves deep into the intricate world of the numbers game, tracing its origins, evolution, and eventual intertwining with Massachusetts' state lottery. This episode, titled "Have You Played Your Number?", explores how an illegal gambling activity rooted in Harlem's vibrant culture transitioned into a state-sanctioned enterprise, challenging organized crime's dominance and raising questions about the role of government in gambling.

Early Beginnings and Personal Stories

The narrative begins with the personal accounts of Sheila Dabrowski and David O'Reilly, two teenagers from 1970s Boston who joined the Massachusetts State Lottery to help launch the state's first scratch ticket game. Their experiences highlight the logistical challenges and the dedicated workforce required to manage the daily operations of a newly introduced lottery system.

• Sheila Dabrowski [00:25-02:30]: Recounts her transition from a warehouse job to working the night shift at the lottery, emphasizing the responsibility of handling tickets daily.

  "Picking your own number was a completely different form of gambling." [01:59]

• David O'Reilly [02:49-04:03]: Shares a gripping tale of a car accident while dutifully ensuring the timely return of betting slips, underscoring the high stakes and pressure involved.

Origins of the Numbers Game in Harlem

Coss provides a historical backdrop, explaining that the numbers game in Harlem dates back to the 1920s, serving as a precursor to modern state lotteries. Historian Stephen Robertson sheds light on Caspar Holstein's innovative approach to creating a seemingly random three-digit number using clearinghouse data, ensuring fairness and eliminating the possibility of manipulation.

• Stephen Robertson [08:21-15:16]: Discusses the cultural significance of numbers gambling in Harlem, its deep roots in the community, and its role as a financial lifeline for many, including funding for a black baseball team and supporting figures like Joe Louis.

  "It makes perfect sense to put a little bit of the money you've got onto this number because it could transform your life in a way that almost nothing else in your life could." [14:55]

Interplay with Organized Crime

The episode explores how the numbers game became a lucrative venture for organized crime, especially after Prohibition ended in 1933. With the legalization of alcohol, gangsters sought new avenues for profit, leading to their significant involvement in the numbers racket.

• Ted Harrington [25:56-28:30]: A former federal prosecutor, Harrington explains how Gennaro "Jerry" Angelo elevated Boston's numbers game to unprecedented levels, making it one of the most profitable mafia-run gambling operations in the country.

  "With the numbers, you're not going to get way, way in over your head. And the numbers game is a complete winner. You cannot lose if you're the house." [28:11]

State Lottery's Foray into the Numbers Game

In the mid-1970s, Massachusetts decided to legalize the numbers game, mirroring the successful yet illicit operations run by the mob. The state's approach was meticulous, ensuring the game's integrity to prevent corruption and maintain public trust.

• Ian Coss [30:20-30:35]: Highlights the irony of the state adopting an illegal gambling name for a legitimate enterprise.

  "They called it the numbers game." [30:20]

Despite fears of mafia infiltration and operational challenges, the state's numbers game thrived, even surpassing the popularity of scratch tickets. The integrity of the system was maintained through rigorous processes, including microfilm scanning of betting slips to prevent fraud.

Personal Impact and Societal Reflections

Joanne Chambers, a long-time resident of Boston, shares her family's transformative experience with the numbers game. Her husband's successful bet provided financial stability, illustrating the profound personal impacts of gambling.

• Joanne Chambers [16:51-44:48]: Describes how a winning number changed her family's life and reflects on the psychological grip the game has on players.

  "You always think you're going to win, and that's going to be the day every time you play. And it's not, trust me." [44:46]

Chambers also voices concern over the state's involvement in gambling, questioning whether it should wield such power over public finances and individuals' lives.

Political Maneuvering and Challenges

The episode details the political maneuverings surrounding the lottery's expansion. In 1978, State Treasurer Bob Crane faced a primary challenge from Larry Decara, a city councilor who opposed aggressive lottery advertising, particularly targeting low-income and black neighborhoods.

• Larry Decara & Election Dynamics [36:12-41:07]: Decara's campaign against Crane's pro-lottery stance introduces sabotage tactics, including the recruitment of multiple candidates with similar names to split the vote, a strategy Decara believes was orchestrated by Crane to ensure his defeat.

  "The rules of politics are very simple, Ian. You cannot play offense when you're playing defense." [40:30]

Despite these challenges, Crane's administration maintained control, and the state lottery continued to flourish, inadvertently allowing organized crime to retain a substantial share of the gambling market.

Conclusion and Ongoing Tensions

"Have You Played Your Number?" concludes by juxtaposing the state's legal numbers game with the enduring legacy of mafia-controlled operations. While the state succeeded in legitimizing and expanding gambling opportunities, it also inadvertently sustained organized crime's financial inflow, highlighting the complex relationship between government-sanctioned gambling and illicit enterprises.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ian Coss [01:59]: "Picking your own number was a completely different form of gambling."
• Stephen Robertson [08:21]: "It was called the most popular indoor sport in Harlem."
• Ted Harrington [25:59]: "He gained ascendancy not because he was a brutal person, just was a brilliant businessman."
• Joanne Chambers [44:46]: "You always think you're going to win, and that's going to be the day every time you play. And it's not, trust me."
• Larry Decara [40:30]: "The rules of politics are very simple, Ian. You cannot play offense when you're playing defense."

Reflections and Implications

This episode of "Scratch & Win" not only chronicles the historical trajectory of the numbers game but also invites listeners to ponder the ethical and societal implications of state involvement in gambling. It raises critical questions about the balance between providing legal gambling opportunities and safeguarding vulnerable communities from potential exploitation and the perpetuation of organized crime.

Through personal narratives, historical analysis, and political intrigue, Ian Coss paints a comprehensive picture of how a simple numbers game became a cultural and economic phenomenon, shaping the lives of individuals and the fabric of communities across Boston and beyond.

Credits:

• Host and Scriptwriter: Ian Coss
• Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins
• Producers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian Coss
• Story Editor: Lacy Roberts
• Editorial Advisor: Jen McKim
• Fact Checkers: Ryan Alderman and Isabel Hibbard
• Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian Coss
• Graphic Design: Bill Miller
• Project Manager: Meiqian He

For more information and access to full transcripts, visit gbhnews.org/scratchandwin.