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Organised Crime, Gambling and Illegal Gambling

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Gambling, Crime and Society

Abstract

This chapter explores the degree to which organised crime groups are involved in both licit and illicit forms of gambling across the globe. It offers a brief historical account of organised crime and its relationship with gambling, before turning to consider how and to what extent the two phenomena are linked in contemporary societies. It examines the degree to which organised crime groups are involved in the illegal supply of gambling services and the legal provision of gambling, and how they exploit legal forms of gambling for nefarious activities. The chapter also highlights how the involvement of organised crime in the business of gambling has, on occasion, led to the corruption of law enforcement officers and other government officials in certain regions of the world.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Average age of offenders: 55 years old for online and offshore betting, 49 years old for gambling parlours and in person games, 53 years old for larger organised crime enterprises, 48 years old for animal fighting and betting.

  2. 2.

    Average number of individuals identified as being involved in the operation of illegal gambling enterprises: 13 for online and offshore betting, 8 for illegal gambling parlours and in person games, 33 for larger organised crime enterprises, 8 for animal fighting and betting.

  3. 3.

    Average length of time in business: 7 years for online and offshore betting, 4 years for parlour and in person games, 11 years for larger organised crime enterprises, 4 years for animal fighting and betting.

  4. 4.

    Guanxi practice involves the cultivation of personal relationships and networks of mutual dependence.

  5. 5.

    VIP players are given a set of ‘dead chips’ by a damazai which they use to place bets. Winnings are paid out using the casino’s standard cash chips. When the player has run out of the dead chips that have been provided by the damazai, they then purchase more dead chips using the cash chips they have accumulated. Each of these buy-ins will be recorded. At the end of play a percentage refund is calculated. This will be presented to the player or junketeer as per the terms of agreement that the casino has with the parties concerned.

  6. 6.

    A whale, who is also sometimes referred to as high roller, is a player who wagers significant amounts of money.

  7. 7.

    Vigorish is the amount charged by a gambling establishment for its services. It may also be called the vig, cut take or juice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Law and Criminology, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom

    James Banks

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Banks, J. (2017). Organised Crime, Gambling and Illegal Gambling. In: Gambling, Crime and Society. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-57994-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-57994-2_4

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