A mob-affiliated bookie is less likely to get stiffed than a non-affiliated one. But I don't think that's the main selling point. "Kick up to us or else..." is a more effective selling point.
To Quote Goodfella's "All they got from Paulie was protection from other guys looking to rip them off. That's what it's all about. That's what the FBI can never understand - that what Paulie and the organization offer is protection for the kinds of guys who can't go to the cops. They're like the police department for wiseguys."
