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Wayne State University

Numbers And Neighborhoods: Seeking And Selling The American Dream In Detroit One Bet At A Time

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The study of numbers gambling in Detroit offers an important perspective on the concept and performance of community cohesion within the urban fabric of the United States. Research is limited concerning the role numbers gambling has played in community cohesion. This dissertation expands the knowledge and understanding of numbers gambling in Detroit by determining how numbers gambling (as an underground economic activity) was formed and operated, not only as a form of illegal activity, but as a way to understand community and local enterprise. This project not only looked at the legal issues surrounding numbers gambling in Detroit, but incorporated issues concerning community, race, kinship, history, economics, and politics. This dissertation determined why and how numbers gambling bonded and solidified neighborhoods in Detroit, and explored both the economic and social function of numbers gambling. Finally, this project explored why and how individuals played the numbers in Detroit.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph.D.
Level thesis:degree_level
Open Access Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Anthropology
Year dc:date.available
2015

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • George, Felicia Bridget
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Todd Meyers

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.wayne.edu:oa_dissertations-2310

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Wayne State University
Base URL
digitalcommons.wayne.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

George, Felicia Bridget. Numbers And Neighborhoods: Seeking And Selling The American Dream In Detroit One Bet At A Time. Open Access Dissertation thesis, 2015. https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/1311