Criminals in Las Vegas use a variety of tactics to exploit the city’s environment, especially given its reputation as a gambling, tourism, and nightlife city. Some common tactics include:
- Card counting and cheating in the casino:
- Some criminals attempt to cheat casinos using techniques such as card counting, marking cards, or using hidden devices to gain an unfair advantage in games such as blackjack or poker.
- Manipulation of slot machines:
- Advanced criminals can use special tools or software to manipulate slot machines. This can involve manipulating the machine’s hardware or exploiting Software error.
- Fraud and disadvantages:
- Fraudsters may approach tourists with overly good offers, rigged games or fake goods. Common scams include the “pigeon toss” (a fake money-finding scenario) or the Game “Three-Card Monte”.
- Pickpocketing and theft:
- Given the large crowds in Las Vegas, pickpocketing is a common tactic. Criminals often work in teams to distract and steal from unsuspecting tourists.
- Drug crime:
- Las Vegas nightlife can be a center for drug-related activities. Criminals can Selling drugs to tourists or use drugs as leverage for other illegal activities.
- Human trafficking:
- Unfortunately, Las Vegas is also a hotspot for human trafficking, particularly in the context of sex work. Criminal organizations may exploit vulnerable individuals, especially during large events or conventions.
- Counterfeit money:
- Criminals sometimes try handing out counterfeit money in casinos, bars and other establishments, and other establishments. Casinos are generally well equipped to detect this, but smaller businesses may be more vulnerable.
- Skimming at ATMs:
- Cybercrime:
- With the increase in digital transactions, cybercriminals can target casinos or tourists by Phishing scams, hacker attacks or ransomware attacks.
- Fake job offers:
- Criminals pose as reputable employers and offer well-paid jobs in the casino or restaurant industry, only to Cheating applicants out of their money or personal information.
- Theft in hotel room:
- Some criminals specifically target hotel rooms and use fake IDs or bribery of staff to gain access. They could steal valuables, credit cards or other personal items from guests.
- Organized crime:
- Although less visible than in the past, organized crime is still present in Las Vegas. These groups may be involved in illegal gambling activities, loan fraud or illegal activities.
The police and casino security personnel in Las Vegas are extremely vigilant, but the city’s lively and often chaotic atmosphere provides ample opportunity for criminals to do their mischief.
Who are the most notorious criminals in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas has a rich criminal history with some notorious criminals and personalities who have left their mark on the city’s history. Here are some of the most notorious:
- Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel
- background: Bugsy Siegel, a notorious gangster, played a crucial role in the development of Las Vegas. He was instrumental in the construction of the Flamingo Hotel, one of the first luxury casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
- shame: Siegel’s involvement in organized crime, including liquor smuggling, gambling and murder, made him a feared figure. His lavish spending on the Flamingo led to Suspicions within the mob that he had embezzled money. He was murdered in 1947, possibly on the orders of the Mafia.
- Tony “The Ant” Spilotro
- background: Tony Spilotro, a feared enforcer for the Chicago Outfit who was tasked with overseeing Mafia interests in Las Vegas in the 1970s and 1980s.
- shame: Spilotro was involved in numerous illegal activities, including extortion, loan fraud and murder. He also headed the “Hole-in-the-Wall Gang”, a burglary ring that targeted high-value real estate. His reputation as a violent criminal and his numerous criminal activities made him a major figure in the Las Vegas criminal underworld. He was murdered in 1986, probably by the Mafia.
- Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal
background: Frank Rosenthal, a sports handicapper and casino manager, was closely associated with the Chicago Outfit and ran several casinos in Las Vegas such as Stardust, which was under Mafia influence.- shame: Rosenthal was known for his involvement in illegal sports betting and for skimming casino profits for the Mafia. His life was the inspiration for the character created by Robert De Niro in the film casino (1995). His turbulent relationship with Tony Spilotro and several attempts on his life contributed to his notoriety.
- Meyer-Lansky
- background: Meyer Lansky was an influential figure in organized crime and was involved in the founding and operation of several casinos in Las Vegas. He played a key role in the development of the Las Vegas Strip.
- shame: Lansky was one of America’s most powerful gangsters, with ties to various criminal enterprises, including Gambling, alcohol smuggling and money laundering. Although he was never convicted of a serious crime, he gained notoriety due to his influence in the Las Vegas casino industry and his connections to other members of the Mafia.
- Nicky Scarfo
- background: Nicholas “Nicky” Scarfo was the boss of the Philadelphia crime family in the 1980s and had interests in Las Vegas.
- shame: Scarfo was known for his brutal tactics and his involvement in various illegal activities, including murder, organized crime and racketeering. His Las Vegas connections were part of a larger effort by East Coast crime families to exert influence over the city’s lucrative casino industry.
- FBI Operation “Strawman”
- background: In the 1980s, the FBI conducted Operation Strawman to expose the Mafia’s influence in Las Vegas casinos. The operation exposed how the Mafia embezzled casino profits and resulted in numerous arrests and convictions.
- shame: The operation has the deep connections between organized crime and the casino industry in Las Vegas. The consequences of this investigation contributed to the decline of Mafia influence in Las Vegas.
- Ted Binion
- background: Ted Binion was the son of Benny Binion, the founder of Binion’s Horseshoe Casino. Ted was involved in the family business and had a good reputation in Las Vegas.
- shame: The death of Ted Binion in 1998 under suspicious circumstances led to a sensational murder trial. His girlfriend Sandy Murphy and her lover Rick Tabish were initially convicted of his murderalthough they were later acquitted in a retrial. The case captivated Las Vegas and shed light on the dark side of the casino industry.
- “The Black Book”
- background: The Nevada Gaming Control Board maintains a “Black Book”, officially known as the Barred List. Individuals on this list are prohibited from entering Nevada casinos due to their criminal past.
- shame: Inclusion in the Black Book is a mark of shame often reserved for those involved in organized crime or significant illegal activities related to gambling. Many notorious criminals associated with Las Vegas have found their names on this list.
These people and events represent only a small insight into the darker side of Las Vegas history, It reveals the city’s complex relationship with organized crime and the challenges of maintaining law and order in a place known for excess and opportunity.
