i guess the key word is 'was'. at there peak in late 90's up to V.R.'s 2004 arrest indeed a global powerhouse as you said. that was over 20 years ago alot has changed. and to the book it clearly is more than just a record of sports gamblers. from business or blood pg.166-167 about moreno gallos possession of it or parts of it and those he may have turned over to salvatore montagna.

"files referred to the records kept by major organized crime sports books, and gallo had run platinum for vito. a gamblers 'file' was made up of significant financial records, such as mortgages and banking information. it also included the names and addresses of a gamblers parents and other close relatives. this information would be carefully studied before the operators of a sports book determined how much, if any, credit he could be granted.the information also let the sports book operators know where to go calling if a gambler couldn't make good on his debts. that degree of financial diligence could be overlooked if the prospective gambler was related to someone of interest, such as a professional athlete. in those cases it was better for the gambler to run up a major debt, so that the books operators could suggest to the athlete that all would be forgiven in exchange for the fixing of a game or the provision of inside information on a team."-peter edwards and antonio nicaso.