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We found the answer to your question at The Phrase Finder, which features the origins behind over a thousand popular quotes, sayings, and clichés. The site also hosts a lively discussion forum and a list of suggested reference books for word lovers. The term "numbers" refers to any illegal lottery that was run by organized crime before the advent of statewide lotteries and other forms of institutionalized gambling. The task of "running numbers," or collecting lottery numbers from a loose collection of corner stores, bars, or grocery stores, was often delegated to rookie mobsters.
There's very little money to be made in "numbers" any more, because the government took over the business in the '80s. Hence, the association of the phrase with old gangster movies and television shows. The Phrase Finder also points out that the mob's numbers game was a pretty straight-up operation -- winners were paid fully and promptly. The numbers game persists, however. A Bronx Beat article from 1995 points out the existence of small-time neighborhood numbers games. And this 2001 piece from Philadelphia's City Paper claims that hoods can scrape by with a 13% profit margin. Not bad for a legitimate business, but pretty small stakes for
a criminal enterprise.
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