Venezuelans Turn to Animal Lottery to Gamble Devalued Bolivars
- The minimum bet can produce enough winnings for a light lunch
- Players pick among 30 animals and watch results on YouTube
How Venezuela Has Managed to Avoid Sinking Into Default
The long lines of people that have become routine in Venezuela now have them looking for hope in a virtual roulette wheel. These players have put their faith in a peculiar lottery, where a rooster can save you and help you reach the end of the month.
In the lottery game, known as "animalitos," you can choose from 30 animals ranging from the scorpion to the fox, winning 30 times the amount of the bet. With the 100-bolivar minimum bet (anywhere between $0.003 or $10 depending what exchange rate you use), you can win 3,000 bolivars. While those profits are modest, it’s enough to buy a light lunch in a country where food shortages and skyrocketing inflation mean that a meal on the street can take a big bite out of someone’s wages.