And like Ivy says, I don't buy the "harmless old bookmaker giving people an outlet to bet on games" trope that is trotted out.
An endeavour that functions and thrives on the implicit threat of violence and extortion.
Exactly . why not just let the mafia control all the unions again so when hard working men retire, they have no money in their pension funds.
Also, whats better than finally saving all your hard earned money to open a business and then have a few mob guys throw a bomb through your window because you wont pay them protection money.
