The "numbers game" (or numbers racket) was an illegal daily lottery played in working-class  neighborhoods across the United States.
Bets were placed on any three-digit number from 000 to 999.

The winning digits were determined by financial data published in daily newspapers. The odds of picking the exact three-digit number were 999 to 1, but winning tickets typically paid out at a rate of 500 to 1 or 600 to 1, giving the bank a built-in profit margin.

Come down to Gunn's Grotto with me Peter Gunn tonight Sunday from 6-8 pm UK time, repeated Tuesday same times, and Wednesday and Saturday from 2-4am on Trash Can Radio,

...where we're playing the numbers.

Tonight The Threeteens will learn what 7 and 7 is...

And The 4 After 5s will say "Hello Schoolteacher".

James Fountain is a 7 Day Lover,

but Etta James will be a Seven Day Fool