Definition
The “Blackbook” is the informal name for the official list of individuals who are legally banned from entering any casino in a specific jurisdiction. Formally known in Nevada as the “List of Excluded Persons,” being in the Blackbook means that even stepping foot on a casino floor is a criminal offense.
In context
In 1960, the Nevada Gaming Control Board created the first Blackbook to keep members of organized crime out of the casinos. Today, if a notorious slot cheater is added to the Blackbook, they are banned from every single licensed casino in the state. If they are caught at a slot machine in a small town or a massive resort on the Strip, they are immediately arrested for a felony.
Why it matters
The Blackbook is the ultimate “nuclear option” for gaming regulators. Unlike a standard “barring” by a single casino, a Blackbook entry is permanent, statewide, and legally binding across all properties. It is the primary tool for keeping the “criminal element” out of the legal gambling industry.
Related terms
In detail
The term “Blackbook” sounds like something out of a movie, but it is a very real and very powerful regulatory tool. While individual casinos have their own private “ban lists,” the Blackbook is a public, government-sanctioned list.
The History of the Blackbook
The Blackbook was born in Nevada during the “Mob era.” In the 1950s and 60s, the state was struggling to prove to the federal government that it could regulate its own casinos and keep the Mafia out. The Nevada Gaming Control Board created the list to identify “notorious and unsavory” individuals. The first person in the book was Marshall Caifano, a known mob associate. Since then, the list has expanded to include not just organized crime figures, but also sophisticated cheats and people with long records of casino-related crimes.
How You Get In the Blackbook
You don’t get in the Blackbook for being a card counter or for getting too drunk at the craps table. To be added, you must meet specific criteria defined by law:
- Prior Felony Conviction: Usually involving gambling, theft, or fraud.
- Violations of Gaming Laws: Repeatedly being caught cheating or using illegal devices.
- Notorious Reputation: A proven history of organized crime involvement that would “damage the reputation of the state.”
The process is formal. The Gaming Control Board holds a hearing, the individual is notified, and they have the right to defend themselves. If the board votes to include them, their photo, aliases, and criminal history are published in the book (which is now a digital database).
The Burden on the Casino
The Blackbook isn’t just a warning for the criminal; it’s a mandate for the casino operator. If a casino manager knows a Blackbook individual is on their floor and doesn’t remove them or call the police, the casino can lose its license or face massive fines.
In my experience, this is one of the highest priorities for a Surveillance Director. Every new employee in the security or surveillance department is required to study the photos in the Blackbook. While the list is relatively small (usually under 50 people in Nevada at any given time), these are the most dangerous individuals to a casino’s integrity.
Modern Enforcement
Today, enforcement is largely handled by Biometric Facial Recognition. High-end cameras at every entrance scan every face that walks into the building. The software compares these faces against the Blackbook database in milliseconds. If there is a match, an alarm goes off in the Surveillance Room, and security is dispatched immediately.
”Blackbook” vs. “Banned”
It’s important to distinguish between being “86’d” (banned) by a specific casino and being in the Blackbook.
- Banned (Barred): This is a private matter. You might be banned from Caesars properties but allowed to play at MGM. It’s usually for behavior or advantage play.
- Blackbook: This is a state matter. You are banned from every license-holder in the state.
For the average player, the Blackbook is a curiosity—a reminder of the casino’s gritty history. For the regulator, it is the line in the sand that keeps the industry “clean” enough to operate legally.