"Plus a monthly payment of 5% of the gross...

... of all four hotels, mr Corleoneee."

The 250k seemed "reasonable" but wouldn't a monthly payment of 5% of the gross of four Vegas hotel casinos completely dwarf that 250k? That would be a ridiculously massive amount of money, wouldn't it? That's always struck me as an absurd demand from the senator.

For some reason, I was thinking this very thing just the other day. A successful Las Vegas casino pulls down a HUGE amount of money - day in, day out. Would an average of $10 million/month be an overestimation?

Assuming that this figure is in the ball park, 5% of $10 million/month is $500,000/month. Times all four hotels is $2 million/month. Times 12 months a year is $24 million - per year.

Even if the total of Geary's annual extortion payments came to only half that amount, it's hard to see how the Corleones wouldn't quickly be looking for a way to get out from under the Geary's thumb - by any means necessary. I can't see Michael Corleone even hesitating to take out a US Senator - IF he was certain he could get away with it without leaving any fingerprints.

"I intend to squeeze you."

It was an absurd amount, but I think FFC and Puzo put it in to underscore Geary's greed--and stupidity. He could have hidden $250k, but 5% of the gross of all four hotels every month would have caught the attention of the IRS immediately.

If Geary meant 5% of the gross bets, then I agree that the figure was totally unrealistic,and was included as dramatic license by FFC. When you consider that games like Craps,Blackjack and Baccarat have a house edge,or "grind" of 5% or less,there is no way to pay out that kind of "squeeze" money.
If the Casino's edge on Craps is 1% of the gross wagers,they can't pay out 5%.
On games like Slots(the biggest revenue generators by percentage),you're looking at 10-12% house edge on gross wagers.

It would make a little more sense if Geary demanded 5% of the gross profits,not the gross wagers,but it would still be a boatload of cash to hide.
When Trump opened his first Atlantic City casino,his nut was a million a day. This was back in the late 70's so even then,
30 million a month was only break even.

I can't see any reason for Geary's demands,except to make us feel less sympathetic when he got set up with the dead whore.

I guess if Geary is stupid enough not to realize immediately in the brothel that he was being framed, he's stupid enough to say or believe anything. How he became a senator though....

Geary wasn't interested in the money:

"I don't like your kind of people. I don't like to see you come out to this clean country in your oily hair -- dressed up in those silk suits - and try to pass yourselves off as decent Americans. I'll do business with you, but the fact is, I despise your masquerade -- the dishonest way you pose yourself."

That's a strange inference. He could have blocked the license if he wanted to, rather than demanding money for it. His ability to block the license was his only piece of leverage after all, so obviously he could have if he'd wanted to.

But he agreed to "do business" because he did in fact want the money.

In "Casino" the county commissioner seems to wield a lot of power. So Geary's intention of squeezing could have been through the commish. Therefore the GF2 references might be artistic license? Or maybe the time frames are different, therefore a different set of rules?

What we think of as Las Vegas is not located within a municipality; it is in the unincorprated portion of Clark County. Since the County Commission is the County's governing body, a Commissioner would be quite an influential person. On the other hand, the State's Gaming Commission would adminster gaming licenses and such. In either situation, a Nevada US Senator would be hugely influential.

However, my previous post expressed Geary's contempt for Italianos. The money was an aside that typically accompanied any busines relations between Nevada politicians and the underworld regardless of ethnicity. Geary's effort to squeeze the Corleones was born of that contempt; Michael was prepared to pay something for the Senator's help. However, his refusal to do so was a function of Geary's malaproprisms.

Loved these movies and I've watched them hundreds of times- there's one premise I just don't buy- If Vito was so opposed to the drug buss, how was killing him going to solve that problem ?? It makes no sense to me- Did Solotzo think he was going to do buss with his sons after killing their father ?? Inspite of what Tom said that Sonny should accept the deal, I just don't feel the boys would have gone against their fathers wishes, go into buss with the guy that killed their father. they would have lost the political influences anyway, with the Don being dead and gone and especially in time their contacts knowing the boys were involved in drugs ?? Any thoughts appreciated, but doubt I'll agree- and yes- I understand it's a movie !!

He intended it to be 5% of the gross- Not 5% of the bets- HUGE DIFFERENCE

He asked for an insane amount of money.. Another FFC/Puzo script mistake. People...LET IT GO!