The origins of Game of the Animal trace back to the late 19th century in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during a period of social and economic transformation. It was created in 1892 by Baron João Batista Viana Drummond, a well-known Brazilian entrepreneur who was the owner of the Rio de Janeiro Zoo (Jardim Zoológico do Rio de Janeiro). The game was initially a marketing strategy intended to boost visitor numbers at the zoo but soon evolved into one of Brazil’s most widespread and enduring forms of gambling.
Baron João Batista Viana Drummond and the Rio Zoo
Drummond was a creative and innovative figure who sought to attract more people to his zoo, which was struggling financially at the time. His idea was to create a fun and engaging game that visitors could participate in after purchasing a ticket to enter the zoo. To this end, he devised a daily raffle centered around 25 animals housed in the zoo, assigning each animal to a specific number.
The mechanics were simple: zoo visitors would receive a ticket with the image of one of 25 animals, and at the end of the day, an animal would be drawn as the winner. Visitors holding tickets with the corresponding animal would win a cash prize or other rewards. This idea, which was originally an innocent promotion, became immensely popular with locals, and its appeal extended beyond the zoo grounds.
The Expansion of the Game
The success of the zoo’s raffle quickly outgrew its original purpose, leading to the rapid expansion of the game across Rio de Janeiro and beyond. Soon, people were placing bets not just in the zoo, but in public spaces such as street markets, bars, and cafés. It began operating outside of formal, controlled environments and entered the realm of informal street gambling.
At the heart of its popularity was the simplicity of the game: participants could bet on any of the 25 animals, and each animal was linked to a number range between 00 and 99. The 25 animals included well-known creatures such as the donkey, lion, eagle, rabbit, and horse. This system was appealing because it was easy to understand, accessible to all classes of people, and didn’t require significant knowledge or skill.
How the Betting Worked
It operates on a straightforward principle of betting on animals and their corresponding number sequences. Each animal is linked to four numbers. For example:
- 1 – Ostrich (00-03)
- 2 – Eagle (04-07)
- 3 – Donkey (08-11)
Bets can be placed on a specific number, animal, or combination of numbers. Over time, the game developed additional ways to place bets, such as betting on groups of numbers (dozens or hundreds), which increased the complexity and potential payouts. The decentralized nature of the betting system, often run by local banqueiros (bookmakers), allowed it to flourish despite its illegality.
Why Did It Become So Popular?
Several factors contributed to the rapid spread and popularity of it:
- Simplicity: The game is easy to understand, and its low barrier to entry attracted a wide range of participants. People from all walks of life, including the poor and working classes, could play for small sums of money.
- Low Cost, High Reward: It allowed people to bet with minimal amounts of money while offering the possibility of significant payouts. This low-risk, high-reward structure made it especially appealing to those seeking quick financial gains.
- Cultural Relevance: The use of animals as symbols made the game accessible and culturally resonant with the public. The animals themselves were often tied to popular superstitions and folklore, adding a layer of personal significance to people’s bets. In time, dream interpretation also became a significant factor in how people chose their animals.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: The game was decentralized and informal, meaning that it could be adapted to various local conditions and social settings. Street vendors, neighborhood bookmakers, and other intermediaries acted as operators, Deu no Poste , Jogo do Bicho allowing the game to flourish independently of a central authority.
From Innocent Raffle to Illicit Lottery
Although it began as a harmless zoo raffle, it soon grew beyond the zoo’s control. By the early 20th century, it had become a full-fledged, widespread underground gambling operation. The Brazilian government attempted to suppress it through legal means, but the game had become too entrenched in local communities. The informal nature of the game made it difficult to eradicate, and it continued to operate despite numerous efforts to ban it.
While it was officially outlawed in 1941 under Brazil’s gambling laws, it remains a thriving illicit business. The game’s informality, coupled with its perceived harmlessness by much of the population, made enforcement challenging. Moreover, it became closely linked to organized crime, corruption, and even political influence in various regions of the country.
A Lasting Cultural Legacy
Despite its illegal status, it has become more than just a gambling operation; it has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. The game’s daily draws, colloquially referred to as (“It appeared on the post”), are still widely anticipated by millions of Brazilians. These daily results are often announced publicly through unofficial channels such as newspapers, radio stations, or even social media, underscoring how deeply the game has embedded itself in everyday life.
The game also has significant cultural resonance in Brazilian literature, music, and popular expressions. Many Brazilians, regardless of their socioeconomic background, participate in the game or know someone who does. It’s often described as a tradition that transcends legality, Deu no Poste, Jogo do Bicho representing a form of resistance to authority and a symbol of the informal economy.
Conclusion
The origins of Deu no Poste, Jogo do Bicho, rooted in a simple zoo raffle organized by Baron João Batista Viana Drummond, laid the foundation for one of Brazil’s most pervasive and enduring forms of illegal gambling. While the game was initially devised as a fun and innovative way to attract visitors to the Rio Zoo, its popularity quickly spiraled beyond the zoo walls, becoming a national phenomenon. Over time, it has taken on a life of its own, reflecting Brazil’s rich cultural traditions, local superstitions, and informal economies, and continues to thrive, despite its illegal status, in modern-day Brazil.
