honestly bookmakers aren't victimizing their clients... these people seek out people to take their action..no one is forcing them to place wagers... they provide a service, one that shouldn't even be a crime.. typical the government can make billions off gambling but some guy with a quarter sheet barley making $ gets charged with rico

My heart bleeds, cheech..

I am very sympathetic to the plight of the mob affiliated bookmaker.

Where is Gloria Allred when you need her?

....

no it isn't fair, no agency state, or federal should be able to freeze your bank account. that needs to stop.

but, I have not seen anyone in congress stand up and stop the bastards that rob your money, they are all gutless.

I don't mean to throw peoples name out, but I was wondering does Sal Montagna have relatives with the Bonannos, father, brother, etc that are players in the underworld?


Just curious, thats all...

was also wondering when them guys in montreal go to trial for ironmans murder been like 4 5 years. die of old age. firlelane carpe diem tencendur. int superstar was scracthed.

What's the difference? It's Canada. They'll get ten years. Tops. That's the main reason why there aren't any rats up there. That and the fact that the Italians in Canada aren't nearly as assimilated as they are here in the States.

Moe, the only reason bookmaking is illegal is because the government isn't making money off it. So get off your high moral horse. If you think it's illegal because they think it's morally wrong then you're delusional.

We will just have to agree to disagree on that, Nicky.

Serious question: Is gambling big in Ireland? I know that horse racing (and horse breeding in general) is huge over there. Not to mention soccer.

Because here in New York, I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that Irish Americans not only love to gamble, but half the old time bookmakers in the Bronx were Irish. Especially around the Woodlawn/Bainbridge/Norwood area.

Now these were dynamite guys (just in case you think I was headed in a different direction with this post). So I'm just wondering, do you have a problem with bookmakers for personal reasons?

Because the Irish in New York sure as Hell love to gamble. I've stood shoulder to shoulder with many an Irishman here in Throggs Neck pubs watching horse races and sporting events that we had a "common interest" in .

How'd you do on the race today PB

^^^^
Case in point: Today was the Kentucky Derby. You couldn't get near any of the Irish bars in the neighborhood today. Standing room only.

I broke even because Firing Line paid a decent price to place ($8.40). But if he held on it would have been a MUCH nicer day .

In case you were wondering PB, sports betting is legal where I live and it's HUGE. There's a bookmaker (we call them "Lotto's") around every corner and bets start at 1$ level until 5000$ limit. They're legal but with a huge gambling tax. The ones with powerful government people as silent partners don't even pay the tax, so they can raise the odds and put their rivals almost out of business.

People mainly bet on soccer but there's a minority that bet on other sports, along with the dog or horse races. Everybody loves to bet a little, myself included. I've been lucky so in grand total I'm ahead in profit. Gambling comes with its own set of problems but if you don't let it control your life it can be a fun way to spend some time and make a little money. I know I have a much better day when I win 100$ or so... hell, even when I only win 20-30$. It's mostly about the rush and drink afterwards.

@ Malandrino

Some of the Albanians here in the Bronx are real bangers (just an expression for a guy who's not afraid to make a large wager). So I'm not surprised.

And the Chinese? Fuggetaboutit (And I hate using that silly word). But they'll bet on anything. Point being, most cultures love to gamble.

I've been to Ireland 12-14 times in my life, but I was never taken aback by the levels of gamgbling.

I mean, it's certainly around. But it's around everywhere. Is there any ethic group that really hates gambling? Not a rhetorical question, I'm genuinely curious.

I don't think so to be honest. I come from a Turkish/Muslim background and we love to gamble also. Most of the illegal gambling in the Netherlands -where I live- is even dominated by Muslims. Gambling is legal in the Netherlands and I don't know why but Turks prefer to gamble illegally, I never understood that.

And also in Turkey gambling is a big thing even though you might think differently because of the religion.