Five individuals barred from participating in gambling activities within Las Vegas casinos.
The Nevada Black Book: A List of Excluded Individuals from Nevada's Gaming Establishments
The Nevada Black Book, officially known as the List of Excluded Persons, is a list maintained by the Nevada Gaming Control Board that permanently bans individuals from entering any licensed gaming establishments in Nevada. Originally created in the 1960s to remove organized crime figures, especially mobsters, from casinos, the aim was to promote corporate ownership and improve Nevada's gaming reputation. Today, the list includes people banned for crimes like fraud, cheating, or tax evasion related to gaming.
The list started with 11 mob-associated names in 1960 and currently has 37 names. Names are rarely removed except upon verified death. Casinos are responsible for enforcing these bans by preventing listed individuals from entering, and the board tracks the whereabouts of those on the list to ensure permanent exclusion.
Some notable individuals currently or historically on the Nevada Black Book include:
- Ronald Dale Harris, a former 12-year employee of the State Gaming Control Board, who used his insider knowledge of casino game computer codes to cheat and win large sums of money. Harris was added to the list in 1997. He was arrested in New Jersey for using a computer program to win on a Keno game and later charged in Nevada for rigging slot machines.
- Sandra Kay Vaccaro is the only woman on the Nevada Black Book. She was added in 1986. She and her husband, who was part of the Los Angeles Organized Crime Family, collaborated with other criminals to rig slot machines, stealing millions from Nevada casinos.
- Douglas Joseph Barr was added to the Nevada Black Book in 1990. Barr had already been arrested approximately 30 times before being added to the list. Many of Barr's arrests were for gambling-related offenses. His father was also placed on the Nevada Black Book for slot cheating, four years later.
Casinos across Nevada can track and ban individuals convicted for gambling theft or other offenses. Banned players, if allowed to gamble, can result in citations, fines, and more for casinos. Each person on the Nevada Black Book has an intriguing story, and the list includes a variety of other criminals such as cheaters, "fixers," mob associates, and others involved in illegal activities related to gaming.
The Nevada Black Book, initially founded, was revolutionary. It was created to clean up Nevada's casinos and improve the state's reputation. Today, it continues to serve as a vital tool in maintaining the integrity of Nevada's gaming industry.
References:
[1] History of the Nevada Black Book. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nevadacontrolboard.org/gaming-policy/blackbook/
[2] Famous Cheaters Caught in the Nevada Black Book. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nevadacontrolboard.org/gaming-policy/blackbook/notable-individuals/
[3] The Nevada Black Book: A List of Excluded Persons. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nevadacontrolboard.org/gaming-policy/blackbook/faqs/
In the realm of casino and gambling, the Nevada Black Book serves as a comprehensive list that excludes individuals from entering any licensed gaming establishments in Las Vegas, a city well-known for its casino culture. A blog post on the history and notable figures of the Nevada Black Book could delve into intriguing stories of individuals like Ronald Dale Harris, Sandra Kay Vaccaro, and Douglas Joseph Barr, each with unique connections to casino-related crimes.
