By Matija Šerić
Although in the 21st century the mafia’s “structure has changed, leadership has changed, management methods have changed, they’re still here because there are still people to rob. It’s simply (the mafia, ed.) not nearly as centralized, but rather open and organized,” said former FBI agent David Shapiro. Jerry Capeci, a mafia expert who writes the web column for ganglandnews.com, stated that the mafia remains a force in the gambling world. “The mafia… still exists,” said Geoff Schumacher, Vice President of Exhibitions and Programs at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. According to him, the mafia works best when the public knows as little as possible about the people involved.
Gambling “is an easy way to make money” and a primary source of income for the mafia, said author and former Gambino family member Louis Ferrante. The scandal did not surprise John Gotti’s former underboss, Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano (who personally killed 19 people while active in the Gambino family): “I’m not shocked at all. Sports have been fixed for years and years.”
Greater Discretion from the Men on the Other Side of the Law
Mafia-related murders still happen — they’re just more discreet and mostly hidden from public view. Occasionally, however, incidents occur that remind the public the mafia is still very much alive. Six years ago, alleged Gambino family leader Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali was killed in front of his home on Staten Island. In general, the mafia in this century in the U.S. has focused on illegal activities that, in addition to gambling, include extortion, blackmail, influence over corrupt politicians and other public officials, infiltration into legitimate businesses, tax fraud, and stock manipulation.
“Soldiers and associates of organized crime are constantly being arrested, but they rarely make the news,” said Seth Zuckerman, a New York criminal defense attorney and former Brooklyn prosecutor. He added that the mafia “isn’t what it used to be, but it definitely still exists… In underground poker games and similar setups, where you need protection and cash flow, the mafia is still involved.” All five New York mafia families, except for the Colombo family, are in some way connected to this affair.
Supreme Court Decision of 2018 Opened Pandora’s Box
New York Congressman Paul Tonko described the allegedly shameful behavior of NBA personnel as “the inevitable consequence of the unrestrained explosion of the sports betting industry.” Although betting on sports is as old as sports themselves, it truly exploded after 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a law that had prohibited gambling in many American states. Currently, sports betting (both online and in sportsbooks) is legal in 38 states, and as of December 1, it will also be legal in Maryland. Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle commented that legalized gambling has changed the world we live in. Most betting now happens online via smartphones and platforms such as FanDuel and DraftKings.
According to the American Gaming Association, by the third quarter of this year, legal sports betting generated $10 billion in revenue, up about 19% from the same period last year. A Pew Research Center survey conducted this year found that about 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. believe legal sports betting is a “bad thing” for society and sports, compared to roughly 33% in July 2022. Clearly, society has begun to realize this was a poor decision by the American judiciary. There have been previous cases of fixed betting in American basketball as well. In 2008, NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to wire fraud and transmitting betting information. He took thousands of dollars from gamblers in exchange for inside tips on games — including ones he officiated.
Ex Mobster Breaks Down NBA Gambling Scandal
Gambling – The NBA’s Unwanted Daily Reality
The scandal involving Billups, Rozier, and Jones has dealt serious damage to the NBA’s reputation. That should be obvious even to those blind to crime. In recent years, the American-Canadian basketball league has struggled with challenges such as declining viewership, biased officiating, poor performances by superstars, an excessive number of games, and players becoming involved in political issues. This mafia connection will do nothing to improve the NBA’s standing. On the contrary, many observers will argue that many games are bad, strange, or boring precisely because of alleged fixing.
The media have now begun criticizing players and staff for the fact that poker, cards, and other games of chance have long been part of NBA daily life. It’s well known that players, coaches, scouts, and doctors often play these games for money (sometimes for large sums) after practices and games — and even more so during flights.
A Major Blow to the NBA’s Reputation
Many journalists are attacking the NBA franchise for failing to conduct a thorough internal investigation to find those responsible. Rozier was investigated last year by NBA authorities and cleared of violating league rules. Some general managers and team owners have questioned the quality of the NBA’s internal oversight, while NBA Commissioner Adam Silver admitted that federal agencies have far more resources available for investigations. In its official statement, the NBA said it takes the new federal charges with “the utmost seriousness” and reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the integrity of the game of basketball.
The NBA will have to repair its damaged reputation in many ways — otherwise, the outcome will not be good. Connections with mobsters are unwanted by anyone, especially the world’s most popular basketball league.
References:
https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-mafia-arrests-510390eadbdf108d87a1d0090180759f
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/nightmare-league-gambling-scandal-roils-075939803.html
https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2025/10/23/fbi-nba-sammy-the-bull/
