The book is only 36 pages long but lists some of the most notorious names in gambling crime since its creation in 1960. It was born out of the fear that if Nevada couldn't keep organized crime out of gambling then Congress would eliminate the industry completely through high taxes.
Eleven names were drawn up in the original list, consisting of individuals defined as having a "notorious and unsavory reputation which would adversely affect public confidence and trust that the gaming industry is free from criminal or corruptible elements."
Current "Black Book" members and the year they entered the list:
Marshall Caifano, Chicago mob leader 1960
Louis Dragna, Mob leader,convicted racketeer 1960
Alvin Kaohu, Hawaiian organized crime member 1975
Wilford Pulawa, Hawaiian organized crime boss 1975
John Vaccaro, Slot cheater 1986
Sandra Vaccaro, Slot cheater 1987
Chris Petti, Mob associate, convicted book maker and card cheater 1987
Michael Rizzitello, Mob associate,convicted kidnapper 1988
William Land,Card cheater 1988
James Tamer,Mob skimmer,bank robber 1988
Frank Masterana, Convicted bookmaker 1988
Frank Rosenthal, Mob associate 1988
Harold Lyons,Slot cheater 1989
Joseph Cusumano, Mob associate, convicted racketeer 1990
Douglas Barr,Slot cheater 1990
Timothy Childs, Slot cheater 1991
Francis Citro, Mob collector, convicted racketeer 1991
Richard Perry,Convicted sports fixer 1992
Anthony St.Laurent, Reputed mob associate, convicted racketeer,bookmaker 1993
Dominic Spinale, Convicted illegal bookmaker 1994
Brent Eli Morris
Douglas William Barr, Convicted slot cheat 1994
William Dominick Cammisano Jr., Reputed mob figure, convicted felon 1997
Ronald Harris, Former Gaming Control Board computer expert who rigged slot machines 1997
Anthony "Tony Ripe" Civella, Reputed Kansas City, Mo., mob figure 1997
Jerry Dale Criner, Convicted slot cheat 1997
Louis John Olejack, Convicted card cheat 1997
John Joseph Conti, Reputed mob associate 1997
Stephen Cino, Reputed mob associate 1997
Charles Panarella, Reputed mob associate 1997
Michael DiBari, Slot cheater 1998
Peter Joseph "P.J." Ribaste, Reputed mob associate 1999
Fred Pascente, a former Chicago police detective who served time for his connection to an Illinois mail fraud ring. (1999)
Michael Joseph Balsamo, a six-time convicted slot cheat,who is in the North Las Vegas jail in connection with a nationwide slot cheating scheme.(1999)
Peter Jay Lenz--Convicted on bookmaking charges three times and on federal charges of making false statements on a passport application.
I knew a few who made this book, it used to be called the Blue Book. Had a good friend who was a "rhythm slot man" which I never understood, but Bob made a considerable amount of money, invested in real estate, and did well. He had every make of slot in his basement and worked long hours to "perfect" his system.
