Running Numbers: A Bygone Era

Harlem, once known as the cradle of the numbers rackets, has seen this illegal activity dry up.  Actually, running numbers probably began in Chicago back in the 1880's, but its prevalence in Harlem in the last half of the 20th century made it a part of daily life.  A neighborhood numbers runner came around to collect and jot down the bets of housewives, businessmen and barflies.  One could place a straight bet on a three-digit number or a combination bet that was harder to hit but paid off handsomely.  Right now, few people still play the numbers, and they are all older people who have been playing for years.

The tools have not changed, even though technology has, over the past 100 years.  The games still rely on figures from designated horse racing tracks on particular days.  Running numbers is illegal, both for the runner and the customer, although few people are prosecuted these days. It was an early form of the lottery.  Man has loved gambling and games of chance since the beginning of time.  Today the numbers game is pretty much gone, but gambling has become a part of daily life for many.  Today, most gambling  is legal.

I became interested in the history of running numbers because of a book I just finished, called Dapper Dan, by Daniel Day.  Dan is a lifetime resident of Harlem, who wrote a book about the ups and downs of his life, from playing dice on the street, to selling drugs, to prison, trips to Africa which largely influenced his life, to famous fashion designer.  It's quite an interesting read, and I was intrigued by his several references to numbers runners.  Now all one has to do is pick up the phone, or turn on the computer to make a bet.  My, have things changed.