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The Black Book of Vegas

Since the 1960's there's been a mysterious black book of Vegas that's been circulating around Las Vegas. In it, you'll find the name of everyone who's been excommunicated from the casinos of Nevada's gambling capital. Some of these people you would have heard of through movie references and yet others will be a complete mystery. Let's have a peek...

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What is the Black Book of Vegas?

Essentially it can be viewed as an exclusive members club that no one wants to join. It’s very difficult to get into and has been jokingly compared to the TAO nightclub at the Venetian casino which is famous for its strict door policy. The Black Book of Vegas contains the identities of gamblers who have tried to cheat some of the biggest and well-known casinos on the strip. And all those in it are banned from every casino in Nevada. To show just how exclusive it is, there are just 35 names listed.

The Black Book Begins

It started as a handwritten book in 1960 and now is in the hands of the Gaming Control Board Excluded Persons List. Being under the auspices of the Gaming Control Board means serious business. Every pit boss will know your name if it’s in the black book of Vegas. The minute you try and enter any casino in the state of Nevada, then you’ll be swiftly turned about and marched out. So, you’re right in guessing that to be on the list in the first place means that you’re pretty badass.

Why Does the Black Book List Exist?

The Black Book of Vegas was a direct result of the Kefauver Hearing that took place in the US Senate in 1960. This was one of the first major investigations into organized crime ever undertaken in the US. You have to remember that Las Vegas of then was a completely different creature from the place it is today. During the 1950s the Chicago mafia ruled all the casinos. Bugsy Siegal used the city’s casinos as his own private bank. probably the best source of information about this period can be seen in the Martin Scorsese movie “Casino” with Robert DeNiro.

Because the idea of bringing mass tourism to Vegas would be a great business venture for the city, the Nevada Gaming Control Board started to crack down on casino mob activity. It was important that the city is presented as clean and safe. The old reputation of crime had to go. The city needs a middle American tourist. By the way, you don’t have to go to Vegas to play casino games, you can just simply check out the online jackpot sites then enjoy gambling from home.

You can find all the casino games at the Bovada Casino

The Gaming Control Board

So the Gaming Control Board decided to make a list of the most infamous mobsters. This was so that the new casino operators would know who from who. This Black Book of Vegas was made available to the public and proved to be a big hit. In fact the list was actually released by the Nevada Supreme Court so that “the casinos could make sure to continue avoiding any potentially significant criminal or corruptive taint and thus maintain public confidence and trust in the gambling industry”. At first, the list was a badge of honor for those on it. But that feeling was gradually replaced with one of frustration as the Gaming Control Board exerted real power in keeping mobsters out of casinos.

Soon the black book became the most potent weapon against the mob. The list was a thing of fear and no one wanted to be one it, as life would be turned upside down.

Who Is On the Black Book Of Vegas List?

As of this month, May 2020, there are 35 names listed in the Las Vegas Black Book. If you go to the Nevada Gaming Control Board website, you can see all the names under “Excluded Persons”. The names listed are the most outlandish cheaters ever caught. Many of them managed to get away with their games and make considerable bank, with some earning millions of dollars over the years.

Some Of The Names

Tony “The Ant” Spilotro (who inspired Scorsese’s character Nicky) is on the list for his attempts to terrify casino employees. There’s John Vaccaro, who organized the largest slot scam in history under the direction of one of California’s most famous crime families. His wife Sandy, is the only woman currently on the list. She helped assist in the slot-fixing scam. The most recent inductee to the Black Book List was 2 years ago. In 2018, Jeffery Martin was the first person added to the list in over 10 years. Martin was the head as a complicated scheme to cheat at the craps tables. He and his 2 accomplices managed to cheat the Bellagio Casino and Hotel out of over 1 million dollars over many years.

You Need To Cheat Big

It takes a lot of time and effort to get your name in the Black Book of Vegas. Every year 100’s of gamblers are arrested for crimes committed in casinos, and they’re names don’t make the cut. You need to be larger than life with your cheating exploits for any hope of consideration. And once you’re in, then it’s almost impossible to be taken off. Apparently only one person was successful in removing their name…since 1960!

If you happen to find yourself on the list, then it becomes illegal for you to enter any casino in Nevada. In fact, it’s a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a one-year prison sentence. Conversely, any casino that lets you commit a crime. So there are no more casino games for you either way.

Is The Black Book Of Vegas Still Relevant?

Thanks to new technology, being able to cheat in a casino is pretty much a thing of the past. Random number generators have eliminated card counting and any old school methods of cheating the system. So, is the black book is of relevance? Probably not. Las Vegas is no longer the Wild West it once was. Since cleaning up and becoming a tourist destination, the mafia and their elk have packed up and left. Also, many players are gradually shifting to the world of online gambling.

The Black Book of Vegas remains a testament to older and more liberal days. But though the torrid atmosphere of criminals and organized crime is long gone, the book is a constant reminder of a Las Vegas seen only in the movies.