Casinos are places where people can gamble, have fun, and enjoy various forms of entertainment. However, not all casinos are legitimate businesses. Some of them are owned or controlled by crime figures who use them to launder money, evade taxes, or influence politics. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular casinos that have been linked to organized crime in the past or present. One way to avoid the risks of playing at shady casinos is to use interac online casinos, which are secure and convenient payment methods that allow you to transfer money directly from your bank account to your casino account.

Las Vegas: The Sin City of the Mob

Las Vegas is known as the gambling capital of the world, but it also has a dark history of mob involvement. Since the legalization of gambling in Nevada in 1931, many crime figures saw the opportunity to profit from the booming industry. They invested in casinos, hotels, and nightclubs, often using front men or shell companies to hide their ownership. Some of the most notorious mobsters who operated in Las Vegas were:

  • Meyer Lansky: He was one of the leaders of the Jewish-American organized crime syndicate known as the National Crime Syndicate. He was involved in various illegal activities such as gambling, racketeering, money laundering, and drug trafficking. He had interests in several Las Vegas casinos, including the Flamingo, the Riviera, and the Desert Inn. He also helped his friend Bugsy Siegel to finance the construction of the Flamingo, which was the first luxury resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
  • Bugsy Siegel: He was a charismatic and ruthless gangster who was also a member of the National Crime Syndicate.He was known for his violent temper and his implication in murders, extortion, and prostitution. He was the visionary behind the Flamingo, which he hoped would attract Hollywood celebrities and high rollers to Las Vegas. However, he overspent on the project and angered his mob partners who suspected him of skimming money. He was assassinated in 1947 at his Beverly Hills home.
  • Tony Spilotro: He was a Chicago mob enforcer who was sent to Las Vegas in 1971 to protect the interests of the Outfit, the powerful crime organization that controlled several casinos in the city. He was also tasked with overseeing the skimming operations, which involved stealing money from the casino count rooms before it was reported to the authorities. He was notorious for his brutality and his involvement in several murders, robberies, and kidnappings. He also ran a burglary ring known as the Hole in the Wall Gang. He was killed in 1986 along with his brother Michael by his own associates who feared he had become a liability.

Macau: The Asian Gambling Hub of the Triads

Macau is a special administrative region of China with a rich gambling history. It is among the world’s wealthiest gambling destinations, surpassing even Las Vegas in revenue. Unfortunately, it is also known for being a haven for organized crime groups, specifically the triads. Triads are secret societies that originated in China and have expanded their illegal activities worldwide. They are involved in a range of illegal activities, including gambling, drug trafficking, loan sharking, prostitution, and extortion. Some of the most influential triads that have operated in Macau are:

  • 14K Triad: One of the most prominent and violent triads globally, with branches in many countries and regions such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. It is involved in a range of criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, and illegal gambling. The 14K Triad has been linked to several Macau casinos, including Casino Lisboa and Casino Grand Lisboa. It has also been accused of orchestrating attacks on rival triads and casino operators.
  • Wo Hop To: It is another powerful triad that has a strong presence in Macau. It is also active in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and North America. It is involved in illegal activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and murder. It has been linked to several Macau casinos, such as Casino Golden Dragon and Casino Babylon. It has also been accused of engaging in turf wars with other triads and casino operators.
  • Shui Fong: It is a smaller but influential triad that operates mainly in Macau and Hong Kong. It is involved in illegal activities such as gambling, loan sharking, prostitution, and protection rackets. It has been linked to several Macau casinos, such as Casino Oceanus and Casino Waldo. It has also been accused of being involved in a bloody feud with the 14K Triad that lasted for several years and resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.

Conclusion

Casinos are not only places of entertainment, but also places of crime. Many casinos around the world have been owned or influenced by crime figures who use them to further their illegal interests. However, this does not mean that all casinos are corrupt or dangerous. There are also many legitimate and reputable casinos that operate within the law and provide fair and safe gaming experiences for their customers. 

NCS
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