A former loan shark and illegal bookmaker is trying to secure his removal from Nevada’s notorious “Black Book” of people barred from entering casinos in the state. The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) will consider Francis Cittro Jr.’s request during its Thursday meeting.
has campaigned for over a decade to remove his name
The 80-year-old has spent more than 30 years on the list and has campaigned for over a decade to remove his name. Nobody has successfully secured their removal off the list while they’ve been alive.
Cittro Jr. claims he never cheated a casino and was only added to the black book in 1991 for his “notorious and unsavoury reputation.” He noted that there are a lot of other felons in Las Vegas who aren’t part of the list.
The convicted felon is an entertainer at the Italian American Club in Las Vegas. He tells mob-related jokes and sings old Italian folk songs. The reason he wants his ban removed is to let him perform at casinos.
Talking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal in November, Cittro Jr. claims there’s a bias against Italian Americans, as a large proportion of the names are of Italian heritage. He has stayed away from crime since his last conviction, which is why he’s hopeful of getting a landmark decision from the NGC.
