Title VIII – Gambling and Organized Crime

With these words, President Richard Nixon underscored the dangers presented by organized crime’s use of gambling. The proceeds of such syndicated gambling activities are universally acknowledged to be the financial lifeblood of organized crime. With the capital initially obtained from illicit gambling, organized crime operatives are able to bribe government officials, make political contributions, engage in loan sharking operations, infiltrate and contaminate legitimate businesses, and hire the vast number of attorneys, accountants and other professionals necessary to the success of the operation. In an effort to launch a frontal attack on syndicated gambling throughout the United States, Congress enacted title VIII of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970.