Anthony's Loteria Exhibit
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Anthony's Loteria Exhibit
  • Home
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Our Community (1)
  • Our Community (2)
  • Our Community (3)

About Us

Loteria, Food and Fun!

As in traditional bingo games, there's always room for fun and laughter!

What is Loteria? It's fun, colorful, and so much more!

Lotería, often called “Mexican Bingo,” has roots that stretch back to 15th-century Italy, where a similar game of chance known as lotto was played. It journeyed to Spain and eventually arrived in Mexico in the 1700s, initially enjoyed by the upper classes. Over time, it spread to the general public, especially through fairs and traveling vendors, becoming a beloved staple of Mexican popular culture. The modern version most people recognize today—featuring 54 vividly illustrated cards with iconic images like El Gallo (the rooster), La Sirena (the mermaid), and El Catrín (the dandy)—was popularized in the early 20th century by French-born Mexican businessman Don Clemente Jacques, who standardized the deck and turned it into a household game.


Unlike American bingo, lotería is rich in imagery and storytelling. Each card is not just a symbol but a portal into Mexican identity, humor, folklore, and even social critique. The game is typically called by a cantador, who recites poetic or humorous riddles tied to the card being drawn—turning each round into a rhythmic, theatrical experience. Players use coins, bottle caps, or pinto beans to mark their boards, and the game is as much about laughter and camaraderie as it is about winning. Over the years, lotería has served as both entertainment and an informal form of education, teaching vocabulary, cultural references, and moral lessons through repeated play.


Today, lotería continues to thrive—not only as a cherished family pastime but also as a medium for artistic and political expression. Contemporary artists and activists have adapted the classic deck to reflect current issues and more inclusive representations, introducing cards that celebrate feminist figures, LGBTQ+ identities, Indigenous heritage, and social justice movements. From papel picado to pop art, from digital installations to photography exhibitions, lotería has transcended its role as a game to become a dynamic canvas of Latinx identity—playful, powerful, and always evolving.

Millennial Loteria Video

Check out this great video about millennial loteria from The Kelly Clarkson Show.

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