Long years before the rise of the huge state lotteries, there existed the highly illegal back-room betting parlors, some operations so small as to be virtually invisible, and often operated by victims of a Depression-era economy.

Lay a dime on your lucky number, pal, and hit for sixty bucks . . . . pay the rent with it or feed the family for a month! . . . . or put it right back in the bookie’s pockets.