NCJ Number
13092
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1974) Pages: 8-13
Date Published
1974
Length
6 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF THE POLICE CHIEF'S DILEMMA REGARDING THE AMOUNT OF GAMBLING AND THE TYPES OF GAMBLING HE CAN TOLERATE WITHOUT RISKING TAKEOVER BY ORGANIZED CRIME.
Abstract
PRIVATE GAMBLING PRESENTS A MINIMAL RISK. 'DOUBLE STANDARD' GAMBLING MAY INVOLVE BINGO GAMES IN CHURCHES AND CAN EXTEND TO THE PRESENCE OF GAMBLING EQUIPMENT IN LODGES AND CLUBS. THE LATTER CAN LEAD TO A TAKEOVER BY COMMERCIAL CRIMINAL GAMBLERS. THEIRS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS TYPE, AS IS EVIDENCED BY THE CONTROL OVER KANSAS CITY BY SYNDICATED GAMBLERS DURING THE PENDERGAST MACHINE PERIOD IN THE 1920'S AND 1930'S. THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST LEGALIZING GAMBLING IN VIRGIL PETERSON'S BOOK 'GAMBLING - SHOULD IT BE LEGALIZED?' ARE RECAPITULATED. BASED ON THESE ARGUMENTS AND THE DIFFICULTY OF PREVENTING A TAKEOVER BY ORGANIZED CRIME, THE CONCLUSION IS DRAWN THAT THE CHIEF SHOULD PUSH FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF ORGANIZED GAMBLING NO MATTER WHERE IT EXISTS.