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running numbers

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the number runners that worked for organized crime in the 20's and 30's. During this time the Mafia and other gangs controlled a lottery like game which was called the numbers.

The people who worked for the numbers racket were called number runners. They collected the bets from the gamblers and delivered the payoff when the gamblers won. Sometimes, these number runners were said to be "running numbers."

the winning numbers were often determined by the final digits of the winning payoff results of horse races. It is also true that when you compare the numbers game which was an illegal lottery to today's legal state controlled lottery, it did offer higher payoffs.

But, the numbers runners were not bookies. A bookie is a person who takes illegal bets on horse racing or sporting events. Contrairy to what the Wikipedia says, these two professions were not combined because the numbers game and sports betting were usually controlled by different people. Also the bookies took bigger bets and looked down on the number runners who survived by taking many small bets; hence the terms "numbers runner" and "book maker" refer to different people.
Running numbers in a Bronx tale, any old gangster movie
running numbers by Sparkyyyyyyy519 September 16, 2013
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Number 16: The Chicago Running Man 

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You'd never expect this sexy ass mf Cryptid to grace your baby shower. The Chicago Running Man spans multiple mythos, but is most popular in American folklore. Legend has it, he holds the current land speed record at 784 lbs. and 19 cents. The Chicago Running Man will primarily use his knees to concuss his prey, which usually consists of Chicago Cubs. He especially loves the draft roster; they are a delicacy to him. The Chicago Running Man has escaped Foundation containment a record 48 times, and is currently on the loose. Some say, that if you play reggaeton loud enough, and at the right speed, you may be able to create frequencies that can slow down the Chicago Running Man enough to be seen with the naked eye, but be warned: it gets him particularly frisky and handsy. If you survive the encounter, you may experience a slight intense burning of the ass cheek, and handprint-shaped bruising along the ass cheek area. The Chicago Running Man, like all good Americans, is devoted to FREEDOM. Sometimes, in his spare time, he runs over to Socialist rallies and throws a bike lock, and often pins it on an ANTIFA member. The goal of this is unknown, but he has been found consistently doing this. The Chicago Running Man has a soft spot for crap-quality early 2000's YouTube video intros, as he discovered himself spiritually around the those times. More has yet to be discovered about this phenomenal creature; expect more reports in the future.
"UAAAGH. WEEEH. OIOIOIOIOIOIOOO. NYANNYANNYANNYANNYAN. NYA NYE NYI NYU NYO. BIBIBIBIABIBABABIBABIBIABABABIBABA. WOAH, POG! THAT'S IT! NUMBER 16: THE CHICAGO RUNNING MAN!"

-Taken from the official Chicago Running Man Theme Song.
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