New memoir ‘The Bookie’ highlights the mobsters and characters in Las Vegas sportsbooks
Early in his career at Las Vegas casino sportsbooks, when mobsters were an intimidating presence around town, Art Manteris confronted Sammy Spiegel. One evening in the early 1980s, while working by himself at the Barbary Coast sportsbook on the Strip, Manteris let Spiegel know he owed money on previous basketball bets. The entire situation could have gotten Manteris “in a real jackpot,” he told The Mob Museum. Spiegel, who served as Tony “The Ant” Spilotro’s driver, was known to demand his own betting odds at the Stardust sportsbook instead of the posted numbers. Back then, Spilotro was the Chicago Outfit’s street enforcer in ...
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Killing of cartel boss ‘El Mencho’ triggers violent backlash across Mexico
One by one, Mexico’s most notorious drug lords are being brought to justice. In each case, Mexican and U.S. law…
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Los Angeles kingpin Jack Dragna was no ‘Mickey Mouse’ boss
In 1984, when Los Angeles Mob boss Peter Milano was arrested along with 19 others, LAPD Chief Daryl Gates announced…
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Planned Netflix drama series to focus on ‘dangerous version’ of modern Las Vegas
A Las Vegas-centered drama series is in production for Netflix, focusing on “a dangerous version” of the city and an…
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Recent NBA, NCAA point-shaving scandals follow the Mob’s playbook
When Antonio Blakeney ventured into international basketball, he became a star. He had been Louisiana State University’s top scorer in…
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Eighty years ago, Lucky Luciano traded prison for exile
When New York Governor Thomas Dewey commuted the sentence of imprisoned Mafia boss Charles “Lucky” Luciano 80 years ago, it was widely…
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Manhunt underway for Ryan Wedding, former Olympian turned accused drug kingpin
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder accused of cocaine trafficking and murder has landed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives…
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Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano murdered outside Manhattan steakhouse 40 years ago
Forty years ago, a faction of Gambino crime family members orchestrated and executed a brazen coup to permanently remove their…
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