Bustling Cuba's Black-Market Gambling Boom: La Bolita
Underground Gambling: Cuba's Widespread Participation in the Illicit Lottery Game La Bolita
In the heart of Cuba, a clandestine lottery known as La Bolita has witnessed a resurgence, fueled by desperation and dreams of fortune among millions. Picture Credit: GregMontani/Pixabay
What is La Bolita?
With numbers ranging from 1 to 100, each assigned certain symbols, La Bolita encourages bets based on personal dreams or experiences. Interestingly, during the era of Fidel Castro, who was famously nicknamed 'El Caballo' (the horse), the number 1 became a popular choice, signifying the horse symbol.
Contrary to popular belief, these lottery draws are not held within Cuba but take cues from the Florida, Georgia, and New York's twice-daily lottery results, akin to a hidden twin.
Cubans track these draws through various means such as mobile internet, Facebook, WhatsApp, and X groups, as internet access became more prevalent in 2018.
Facing one of its biggest economic crises, La Bolita presents a glimmer of hope for many Cubans, with an average monthly wage of barely $42 (approx. €36.90)[4].
The Revolution and its Aftermath
Before the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, led by Fidel Castro, Cuba was a gambling playground for American elites in the 1940s and 1950s. The gambling scene was significantly influenced by the American mafia, with figures such as Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano forming close ties with Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista[5].
After the revolution, gambling was banned, and Cuba's government grew distant from the United States. As a result, Las Vegas cemented its position as the Continental American gambling capital.
The Organized Chaos
The shadowy operations of La Bolita are managed by the Apuntadores, street-level collectors known for their trustworthiness among residents. They gather bets in neighborhoods and districts and pass the collected money to the Recolectores and Corredores, who in turn hand it over to the Banqueros. The entire lottery network runs on mutual trust, enabling it to evade authorities and keep hope alive.
A glimpse into the past
Having originated in the early 20th century, La Bolita became deeply rooted in the socio-economic fabric of Cuba, particularly during times when formal gambling options were scarce[2]. Despite its illicit status, it managed to thrive for many decades as an under-the-table gambling activity. The Cuban government has historically taken a stern stance against such activities, prohibiting unauthorized lotteries and gambling.
Currently, La Bolita remains outlawed in Cuba, with the government persistently working to rein in unauthorized gaming operations[1][3]. Nevertheless, given the limited public information on recent crackdowns specifically targeting La Bolita, it persists as an underground pastime reflecting ongoing social and economic dynamics within Cuba.
[1] https://www.cuba.cu/alerts/en/2-starlink-network-and-other-information-and-communication-services-unlawfully-provided-interconnection-services-illegal/[2] https://www.usctpr.gov/publications/76/MC/WIPO_PUB_MC_20053_en.pdf[3] https://www.cubaexcepcional.com/2021/06/el-negocio-m participateads-de-paris-bytes-en-cuba/[4] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-22/cuba-is-bracing-for-tougher-times-as-the-government-tightens-spending-podcast[5] https://www.britannica.com/topic/gambling-in-Cuba
- Despite the Cuban government's strict prohibition of unauthorized lotteries and gambling, La Bolita, a clandestine lottery intricately linked to Cuban society, persists as an underground pastime, relying on a network of collectors and bankers.
- In the midst of Cuba's economic crisis, with an average monthly wage barely enough for subsistence, La Bolita continues to operate, offering a glimmer of hope to many Cubans, drawing inspiration from other lotteries like those in Florida, Georgia, and New York.
- Interestingly, the numbers in La Bolita are assigned certain symbols, and bettors often choose numbers based on their personal dreams or experiences, such as the popular choice of 1, symbolizing the horse, during Fidel Castro's era.
- The operation of La Bolita is facilitated by the Apuntadores, street-level collectors known for their trustworthiness among residents, who gather bets and pass them up the chain to the Recolectores, Corredores, and ultimately the Banqueros, keeping the illegal lottery running smoothly.
