Orlando boss, Ed Milam, was found brutally murdered in a Kissimmee swamp. We examine his life and death.
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.
Gangland Life and Murder of Ed Milam
Polk County Sheriff ousted in gambling crackdown
Crime bosses installed Frank Williams as Polk County sheriff in exchange for an unmolsted bolita monopoly.
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...