Street Lottery La Bolita: A Thriving Gamble in Cuba
Illegal Gambling Surge: Popular Underground Lottery La Bolita Draws Millions in Cuba
Published on: 18.04.2025. Updated on: 24.04.2025.
- Millions of Cubans stake their luck and dreams on La Bolita, the illicit lottery
- Trust-based system thrives amidst Cuba's ongoing economic struggles
Driven by hope and despair, millions of Cubans wager on La Bolita, the clandestine lottery, as a potential ticket out of poverty. © GregMontani/Pixabay
Unraveling La Bolita
Indulging in numbers from 1 to 100 and their assigned symbols, La Bolita's players often rely on dreams or personal experiences to choose their lucky numbers. In the past, the number 1, symbolized by a horse, was widely backed as Fidel Castro, known as El Caballo (the horse), ruled the nation.
Performed outside of Cuba, La Bolita draws are based on the twice-daily lottery outcomes in Florida, Georgia, and New York. Its fanbase eagerly follows the results via the internet, Facebook, WhatsApp, or X groups.
Cuba on the Brink
Plagued by one of the worst economic crises in history, Cuba's desperate residents often find solace in La Bolita's promise of a life-altering windfall. With an average income of about 42 USD (approx. 36.90 EUR), La Bolita's allure is too potent to resist, leading millions to participate, even exceeding their budgets [1]. Despite the illegality of participating, the hope for a better life remains unquenched.
Cuba's Gambling Pioneer
Taking a step back in time, Cuba's vibrant gambling scene in the 1940s and 1950s was a playground for wealthy Americans. Casinos, heavily linked to the American mafia, boasted names like Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano, holding sway over Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Post-revolution, a ban on gambling ensued, pushing Las Vegas to the forefront as the continent's gambling mecca [2].
The Intricate Maze of Trust
Integral to La Bolita's existence is the trust between its collaborators and the community. The "pointers" collect bets with ease, known and trusted by the community. They pass the bets on to the "collectors" and "runners," who then funnel the funds to the "bankers." La Bolita operates in the shadows, reliant solely on this trust network, evading law enforcement and nourishing the hopes of millions [1].
[1] Los Juegos en Cuba: La Bolita - https://www.elcasimoncibe.com/2020/06/los-juegos-en-cuba-la-bolita.html[2] La Historia de la Bolita en Cuba - https://noticias-mundo.net/historia-de-la-bolita-en-cuba/.
- Despite the illegality of participating in La Bolita, many Cubans are driven to rely on it as a means to escape poverty amidst Cuba's ongoing economic struggles.
- The high demand for La Bolita has led millions of Cubans, even those exceeding their budgets, to stake their hopes on this clandestine lottery.
- Players of La Bolita often select their lucky numbers based on dreams, personal experiences, or significant symbols, such as the number 1, traditionally associated with Fidel Castro.
- Unlike traditional lotteries, La Bolita draws are based on the twice-daily lottery outcomes in Florida, Georgia, and New York, with results being disseminated via the internet, social media, and various messaging platforms.
- La Bolita's thriving operation depends on a trust-based system among its "pointers," "collectors," "runners," and "bankers," allowing it to evade law enforcement and continue offering a glimmer of hope for numerous Cubans.
