TOP 10 BOOKS ABOUT GAMBLING & ORGANISED CRIME

The history of gambling cannot be separated from organised crime. From mobsters running casinos in Prohibition-era America to the mafia’s strangle hold over Las Vegas in the mid-20th century, the underworld has always had a hand in the gambling trade. Even today, stories of crime families, skimming operations, and gambling rackets fascinate readers around the world. These books explore the shadowy world where gambling and organised crime meet.

Read the real stories of mob-run casinos, then enjoy safe play at UK-licensed online casinos. Claim your bonus here.

Why Read Books About Gambling and Organised Crime?

Books on gambling and organised crime provide a gritty and authentic perspective on how the casino industry developed. They show:

·     How mobsters built and controlled Las Vegas casinos.
·     The links between prohibition, boot legging, and gambling.
·     How crime syndicates exploited casinos worldwide.
·     The true-crime stories that shaped gambling history.
·     How the transition from mob to corporate casinos changed the industry.

OUR OFFERS

A group of mobster looking men sitting around a live dealer table together

NICHOLAS PILEGGI, DOUG J.SWANSON, STEVE FISCHER & GUS RUSSO

1. Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas – Nicholas Pileggi

· Pileggi's book, the definitive account of mob control in Las Vegas, tells the story of Frank Rosenthal and Anthony Spilotro, whose partnership defined mob-era Vegas. The basis for Martin Scorsese’s film “Casino”, it’s a must-read for understanding how the mafia ran the Strip.

2. Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion – Doug J.Swanson

· This biography of Benny Binion, a Texas mobster who founded the World Series of Poker, captures his violent rise, criminal empire, and transformation into a Las Vegas legend. It’s a gritty portrait of one of gambling’s most infamous figures.

3. When the Mob Ran Vegas – Steve Fischer

· Fischer's book is an entertaining history of the mafia's influence in Las Vegas. It is full of anecdotes and colourful characters. It shows how organised crime built the foundations of the modern casino industry.

‍

4. The Outfit – Gus Russo

· Russo’s detailed history of the Chicago mob explores its national reach, including its gambling rackets in Las Vegas and beyond. The Outfit’s connections reveal how deeply organised crime infiltrated American gambling.

JONATHON EIG, FRANK CULLOTTA & DENNIS GRIFFIN & RALPH MOODY

5. Running Scared: The Life and Treacherous Times of Las Vegas Casino King Steve Wynn - John L. Smith

· Investigative journalist John L. Smith dives into Wynn’s rise from small-time operator to casino mogul. The book explores how mob money, politics, and ambition shaped the modern Las Vegas Strip.

6. The Battle for Las Vegas: The Law vs. the Mob - Dennis N. Griffin

· Written with cooperation from law enforcement insiders, this book chronicles how the FBI and local police dismantled mob control of the Strip.

7. Havana Nocturne: How the Mob Owned Cuba and Then Lost It to the Revolution - T. J. English

· Chronicles how American mobsters like Meyer Lansky, Lucky Luciano, and Santo Trafficante, in collusion with Cuba’s corrupt Batista regime, turned Havana into a glittering hub of casinos, brothels, and high-stakes nightlife in the 1950s. And then lost it all.

Set underground, a group of mobsters sitting around a live dealer table with cards in their hands and with playing cards and poker chips on the table

A man looking smart standing outside casino themed building with neon lights

MARC COOPER, JOHN H.DAVIS & PETE EARLEY

8. The Last Honest Place in America – Marc Cooper

· A journalistic look at Las Vegas, Cooper explores the city’s contradictions, built on crime, excess, and casinos, while examining its transformation into a corporate-driven tourist hub.

9. Mafia Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the Gambino Crime Family – John H. Davis

· Though broader in scope, Davis’s book covers the Gambino family’s gambling rackets, showing how organised crime used casinos and betting operations as key sources of income.

10. Super Casino – Pete Earley

· Earley’s investigative account of Las Vegas shows the shift from mob control to corporate ownership. It explores how the city moved from a mafia stronghold to a polished entertainment capital, marking the end of an era.

‍

These books show how the mob-controlled gambling, often with violence and corruption. Thankfully, today’s UK casinos are licensed, regulated, and safe for players.

Claim your welcome bonus and enjoy modern casino play at www.casinojester.co.uk.

A mobster looking man sitting at a live dealer table with his wife next to him in a casino

THEMES THESE BOOKS COVER, WHAT THESE BOOKS TEACH & THE OVERVIEW

Themes These Books Cover

The best books about gambling and organised crime highlight several key themes:

· Mob Control of Las Vegas: Nicholas Pileggi’s “Casino”, Steve Fischer’s “When the Mob Ran Vegas”.

· Biographies of Mobsters: Doug Swanson’s “Blood Aces”.

· Organised Crime Networks: Gus Russo’s “The Outfit”, John H. Davis’s “Mafia Dynasty”.

· Vegas Transformation: Marc Cooper’s “The Last Honest Place in America”, Pete Earley’s “Super Casino”.

What These Books Teach

Books about gambling and organised crime teach us that casinos were once battlegrounds for power, profit, and control. They show:

· How mobsters used gambling as a cornerstone of their empires.

· The violence and corruption tied to casino operations.

· The transition from mafia-run casinos to corporate enterprises.

· The cultural impact of mob influence on the image of Las Vegas.

· Why regulation and licensing are crucial for safe, modern gambling.

‍

Overview

These books capture the dangerous and dramatic ties between gambling and organised crime from Nicholas Pileggi’s “Casino” to Gus Russo’s “The Outfit”. They reveal the mobsters, skimming operations, and crime families that shaped the casino industry before the corporate takeover.

‍

Read the best books about gambling and organised crime, then enjoy safe, regulated play at UK-licensed online casinos.

Claim your bonus today and experience the thrill of gaming without fearing that the mob might burst in at any point at www.casinojester.co.uk.

10BET casino offer
100% UP TO £50 ON
FIRST DEPOSIT

PLAY

Top Features of UK Online Casinos

Playing at our recommended casinos offers an exciting and secure gaming experience. Enjoy generous online casino bonuses, a wide variety of gaming options, and robust security measures.