How were betting and numbers games seen back in the day in the 1900s through early 1950s or 1960s?

Not a bad thing, or just something people did with the help of the mob to earn extra money for themselves or their family along with their legit day job?

As something that was someone's side business that only people in the know would know about?

A way of life?

Or all of the above?

How did other 1st generation Italian-Americans, or recently arrived Italian immigrants who had recently become or were going to become naturalized American citizens feel about them or the people who did this as a side business?