Only an idiot would pay a bookie or loan shark. I'm not saying it's a wise idea to gamble and stiff your bookie, but if you do lose, and you feel your life is threatened, go to the cops. It's basically the poor man's version of chapter 11. lol. It's America in the 21st century. You're too big to fail! Or.. get roughed up by modern day mob wannabes that look like the Growing up Gotti kids. The system is what it us. It's up to you to know how to work it.