The Gentleman Gambler - 'Joe Vito' Mastronardo

This next fellow was an enigma or sorts. A man who marched to the beat of his own drum. A beat that catapulted him to the very pinnacle of the illicit sports-bookmaking business in this country.

I call it a 'business' as opposed to a racket because that's the way this man always viewed what he did for a living. And the way he conducted himself.

He also completely avoided dealing with the Mafia or racketeers, and could be considered one of the very few who ever generated that type of money (over $100 million) without 'kicking up' a single dime to anybody. For that fact alone he is a legend...and now?

The life and times of Joseph (Joe Vito) Mastronardo
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https://thenewyorkmafia.com/2021/05/31/kingpin-joseph-joe-vito-mastronardo-the-gentleman-gambler/

you're gonna enjoy this one fellas. I know I did

Its got a much different spin to it

I think it would've been something if Joe Vito would've joined the Philly Mob under Angelo Bruno, but his stubbornness probably would've gotten him killed under Scarfo unfortunately. I was always sore about the murder of Angelo Bruno. He didn't deserve that, just to have a psycho destroy what he built afterwards.

What made him uniquely 'unique' was that he didn't.

Exactly NYMafia, I'm just saying he would've made an excellent addition, a great asset. Trouble is the mutts out there today don't know how to appreciate a good asset.

Kind of sad that he was sent to prison and died there due to deteriorating health and just a few years later there are legal sports books 20 minutes from his home now

Living on the Main Line outside of Philly with some blueblood American families with generational wealth that helped fuel his quite bookmaking operation

excellent work on JOE VITO. very detailed. NICKY SCARFO should have taken lesson's from him!

Thanks Faffy. And I agree. If Scarfo and those guys had taken a few lessons from a guy like Vito and stayed away from whacky bloodshed they might still be around.

Awesome article! Thanks for putting that together! I remember hearing about him but never read his whole story.

It is sad and disgusting how much money they “confiscated” (stole) from that family. All that money probably went into politicians pockets or pissed away on garbage programs that never work too.

Thanks Homers77. Yes, he was a helluva guy. And what the G did to him and his family is disgusting. Hypocrisy at its finest!

I'm glad you enjoyed this story. It was a bit different from the norm. Coming up I've got what I consider to be another winning bio. This next one was largely a 'sleeper' as far as the larger organized crime history goes.

But in his home territory of Schenectady he was extremely well-known and considered the boss of the area. I've written a little about him before but felt he was worth his own story. He should be completed within the week, then I'll post him up for you to enjoy.

viewing Joe Vito's home itself kind of explains the type of money and profits he made annually from gambling. THAT'S a sports business!

Hey Dilly , this is the 1rst we time speak..I've been watching ur posts & u seem a bit edgy 2 me ..but whatever... Angie was an "associate" of my old man cause my pop was a union dude 4 Keebler Cookie Co. here in philly back in the day (60s.70s)..but the ? I pose 2 u is ...why did u feel " always sore" about what happened 2 Ange..????

The feds should use his power again the violent criminals like the drug trafficker. To use time and money for put in jail a top bookie that never ordered to break lega to someone but only take bets from rich gamblers is absurd,for sure is more easy to built a case against Joe Vito that against a dangerous drug trafficker.

This guy was an earner...A huge one at that!

"Joe Vito" was a multimillionaire many times over.

And the best part about it all? He wasn't even a so-called "connected" guy. Never reported to nobody, and never kicked up a quarter to nobody. He was just a very sharp "independent" who had a big set of balls and knew his way around the sports and gambling world like nobody's business.

Through his smarts and business acumen he was able to create a great life for himself, his wife, and his children. Made sure to elevate his family to exulted levels for the next generation. Never had to hurt nobody, and made wheelbarrows of cash.

You want better than that? I don't think so!

Joe Mastronardo was wiser than the wisest wiseguy out there... IMO. THAT was a wiseguy!

The home Mastronardo owned and the assets he acquired over the years dwarfed 90% of the wiseguys and street guys out there. Anywhere. And that's no bullshit either!