History of Illegal Numbers Game

I am a writer doing a story whose plot involves the illegal numbers
game played in the inner cities (and elsewhere) before the advent of
the various state lotteries.Can someone out there in cyberspace with a
knowledge of the above help me with answers to the following related
questions:

1. How did the low level numbers runners get paid? (Per centage of the
take?)
2. How did they report numbers being played?
3. How did they turn in money being bet?
4. How did they get the winnings?
5. What were the legal consequences of getting caught as a low level
runner?
5. Did anybody ever do any serious time in jail for being a low level
player?

Thanks, in advance for any help.
Aven