Pretty simple question, but to make a little more interesting possibly name the racket that the specific family is known for possibly more than the others. Or that the family dominates, i.e brooklyn waterfront for gambinos. Historical and current references are both good. I realize that gambling, loansharking and drugs are going to be #1 and #2 and #3. But hopefully you guys know what I'm trying to get at. But if the fam was that much better at one of the classic rackets maybe list it with an explanation, like the bonnano family and drugs.

Loans and gambling go hand an hand. Some of the Colombo's union shake downs were for small soles like 300$ a week but that just what they got caught for usually its a project with a lump some paid off.

Gambling , gambling , gambling. You get the least amount of time for it. A vast amount of people sports bet, go to poker rooms and , game rooms. Constant cash flow and the opportunity to get people in debt.

I'd imagine people feel safe and somewhat thrilled when going to a mafia run gambling dens or whatever.

crime

Some of these bookmaking sites took in almost 2 million a year. 1.7 the Feds claim.

Something I've kind of wondered for a bit, does every single made man capo whatever keep book and do loans? Are there some that have such profitable alternative ventures that it's not worth the headache? Or do they always pretty much start with those and when/if they rise up the ranks and attain other sources of income they pass it down and take a cut? I only as because say you make millions off of mostly legit construction why risk the years involved with shy and gambling charges.

Since its a lot harder to loan shark. Now of days you see more gambling. To become an associate I'm sure you have to be a decent earner whether it's legitimate money or something from anything illegal.

Drugs have lengthy sentences. Gambling sells it self just as well so it's common that people start off being a bookie. If they notice how well you handle non-payments and if whatever system you have is working you'll get noticed.

You pay you're way into the mob just like any other fraternity. Other than blood ties , getting made quick depends on how much money you bring in/work/jobs.

One doesn't necesarily have to be a bookie to get made . Really most made guys extort bookies and use their muscle to collect or pay out. The bookies can be any random person that just knows a lot of gamblers.

As a Capo I'd imagine you got there because you have a solid platform to provide for the family . That or family relations etc. .

You can provide no show or no work jobs for other made guys (construction or any legitimate business) . Those guys will do the bookmaking/collection or whatever illegal profits. so the capo won't be on the street ( it can take years for a book to start taking in a million a year) . I'm sure the capo would just collect a percentage off the top. Doing that he provides a steady cash flow for made guys that don't have real estate and business etc.

Now why a capo would do all that if he has legitimate money and business? The only answer I can think of is when they get made they make an oath for life. There wouldn't be a boss of any family if they all retired when they had good legitimate income . The mafia is a fraternal organization for a lack of better words . I'd imagine if I made it to capo I had a crew that helped get me there. Until indictments are thrown down they pretty much look after each other.

This isn't fact just what I've gathered . Correct me if possible .

example of passing up higher posotion

" Cali is also known to be a big earner for the Gambino family making millions of dollars a year from his involvement in the city’s food industry among other criminal aspects.''

9 times outta 10 nobody knows what the most profitable mob racket is

what about the music industry, surely there are still a few bucks to be made there. speaking of music, this is a true classic with a few hidden meanings...