of course i dont think that their as strong as back in day, no family is, and as the decreased number of families prob has alot to do w/ a number of things, consolidation,e'g' gambinos taking over a certain area etc. and another may be alot of the guys from the old days were immigrants,not italian americans,so again theres various reasons, russians,asians etc. but its def not out, just not many ppl wanna go to a guy to place a horse bet my age as they did in the 60's also theres otb, casinos ect,