Loteria Almost Lost

[scoobygirl30]

Loteria is a game much like bingo. Actually in many places it is called Mexican bingo. This game is a real favorite amongst the elderly in many areas. It is a game which is more or less bingo, though rather than cards with number on on them, the cards have pictures. Instead of using a bingo dauber to cover a called number, pennies are used. When someone gets a line either in a straight line or diagonal they are the winner. The winner only collects the pennies that others used to cover pictures on their card, so the prize money is never a great deal.
Though because this game isnt exactly like bingo and isnt called bingo those at the Grandview Senior Citizen's Center were told they were no longer allowed to play because of a ban placed against the game because the Parks and Recreation Department deemed it illegal.

Of course this truely upset many people who love to play Loteria. They could not understand why bingo was allowed to be played yet Loteria was not. Even though the differences in the game are very few.


Though after a short time, and many phone calls later the Loteria game was once again allowed to be played. Though it is still unknown who exactly said that the game is illegal to play.

This game most likely began back in the 15th century in Italy where it then made its way to Mexico in the 18th century. Loteria has a board which displays 16 images on each out of the 54 images which are in the game. At one time beans or stones were used to cover the called images. Though of course this idea evolved to where now days pennies are used, and pennies are won.

Carlos Barrera who is now the new manager of the center has said that he is glad that Loteria is once again allowed to be played, as many people were quite upset when news came about that it was deemed illegal to play. Now that it is once again allowed, things have quieted back down, execpt for the laughter and joyfullness that is heard while games are being played.