Bolita

Bolita, meaning “little ball” in Spanish, refers to a type of lottery game with a colorful history. Popular in Cuba and among some Hispanic communities in Florida, bolita traditionally involved drawing a winning number from a bag filled with small numbered balls. Over time, variations emerged, with some places using guesswork for a two-digit number. Though sometimes operating clandestinely, bolita’s legacy lives on as a reminder of cultural traditions and the allure of chance.

Florida’s Lottery started as the Cuban game of Bolita

The modern-day lottery in Florida has a surprising origin story. Its roots lie not in the halls of government but in the bustling streets of Havana, Cuba. Around 1890, a game called Bolita, meaning "little ball," crossed the Florida Straits...