Nevada’s infamous ‘black book’ has two new entrants, after a pair of rogue craps gamblers who scammed Bellagio casino out of $1.5m received the dubious honor of being added to it. The black book, created in 1960, contains a list of thirty-four individuals banned from all gaming establishments in the state, which in the past has included eleven members of the mob. Last week the Nevada Gaming Control Board entered the names of Anthony Granito and James Cooper into the book following their plot to defraud Bellagio.

The Dice Whisperers

Granito and Cooper were part of a four-man team, two of whom were employed as dealers at Bellagio, who used phantom “hop” bets to cheat the Las Vegas Strip resort out of the huge sum, all of which happened over a period of two years between July 2012 and July 2014. The scam relied on Granito and another accomplice, Jeffrey Martin, making obscure calls when rolling the dice to which the dealers, Cooper and Mark Branco, the fourth member of the gang, would pay out as if they had understood the call and that it had been correct.

All four were jailed for their parts in the scheme, with Granito and Cooper opting not to defend their black-booking, taking their place among other known scammers and cheats. However, Martin, who was also considered for addition, may plead his case at the next regulatory meeting in December.

Not So Illustrious Company

The first entrants into the black book were Marshall Caifano, a Chicago mob leader, and Louis Dragna, another mob leader and convicted racketeer in 1960. Only one person is known to have overturned their addition to the book on appeal – the only other reason your name gets removed is when you die.

The last entrant to the book prior to Granito and Cooper was convicted burglar Joseph Moody, whose modus operandi was to distract elderly patrons at casino redemption kiosks or ATMs and engage them in conversation before stealing their cash. If only he’d have followed our handy guide to becoming a blackjack pro, he wouldn’t have had to resort to such underhand tactics.