LAS VEGAS (AP) — The industry group representing casinos, racetracks and sports books in 40 states where gambling is legal wants there to be no confusing it for illegal gambling linked to violent organized crime.
American Gaming Association CEO Geoff Freeman said Tuesday that illicit gambling affects the industry's credibility with policy makers and the public.
To make the distinction between legal and illegal gambling clearer, the association is releasing a study from Virginia Commonwealth University that looks at federal convictions in 2014 involving 40 illegal gambling operations.
Of those, 10 cases linked to larger crime syndicates including the New York and Philadelphia Cosa Nostra families, a motorcycle gang and Texas drug traffickers led to the seizure of up to $68 million.