It's hard to argue with gambling overall, since it touches some many strata of business. The gaming is only part of it. Casinos need to be built, maintained, renovated, operated, etc. From loan sharking to garbage to food to real estate, it ticks all the boxes.

But Marcello was one of the wealthiest in his time and he didn't seem to directly operate any casino. Though there was a ton of gambling in NOLA.