I had a discussion with a friend of mine regarding the misconception(in my opinion) that states legalizing gambling hurts organized crime. I’ve always felt that it helps and opens up a lot more avenues to make money in that area. Take AC for example. Once gambling got legalized and all the new casinos started popping up they made millions of dollars a month. What’s the forums take on this? Does it hurt or actually help?

It may help from the prospective of the customer pool for sports gambling will be larger, but as far as customers for illegal gambling, it will def hurt though you will have some people who become junkies to legal gambling that eventually once the money runs out have to turn to illegal gambling and mob bookmakers and loan sharks...but again overall this will damage the illegal sports gambling business

Agreed but what about the countless other ways to make money that arise from it? Sure, your illegal gambling money goes way down but I would think shylocking, prostitution, chances to take over unions and make tons of legal money, real estate scams, stocks, etc that would greatly outweigh the money you lose in illegal gambling. Hasn’t organized crime thrived everywhere in the world that has legal gambling? I’m not knocking your answer, it was the same as my friends. I just can’t see how legal gambling can hurt the street guy that’s has a brain(not saying you don’t have a brain, you get what I meant). Lol. Sorry, I know how quick shit can get misconstrued on here. Thanks your your input.

A lot of the action offered by legalized gambling is stuff that the street guys don't handle. For example,the neighborhood bookie isn't taking action on the multi million jackpot numbers games,or the countless daily number games that the State has come up with. As far as the sports betting,all of the prop bets,and various other wagers are stuff that the local guys don't do. There is always the basic numbers action, backroom card and dice games,and video gambling machines in the local bars,as well as the sports book.

A lot of people like playing with the bookie,since there's no taxes,and credit is easy to get. I do agree that there are some folks who would rather go into a legal joint,so in that sense,I would agree that the Mob has taken a bit of a hit on income,but I don't know that it's enough to impact them in any significant way.

As Jshov31 said,the Mob will always figure out a way to spin straw into gold.

Betting on credit, and not having to declare and pay taxes on any winning will always allow for illicit bookmakers to operate. Plus most often there exists a personal relationship between a bettor and his bookie or runner.

Another allure is the ability to pay off the bet in increments, or in the alternative get a loan from a shylock to pay off the betting debt.

Legit OTB/or sports bet offices don't offer those services. So to a degree there will always be a certain allure for some betters. But for certain, bookmakers have been hurt by the increased competition in the market now.

Legalized gambling ultimately helps the Mob by legitimizing gambling, which lowers the barrier that may have stopped average people from gambling at all. Once they get a taste of legal gambling, at casinos or lotteries or OTB, a certain number of people are going to get hooked, and start betting with Mob-connected bookies, card games, etc., simply because it's more convenient for them. And, they're going to borrow from Mob-connected loan sharks, which is where the real money is in illegal gambling. Apart from that, Mobs run businesses that feed off legal casinos--loans, drugs, prostitutes, etc.

Moral of story: wherever people want to get rich quick, you'll find the Mob happily taking your money.