Nevada Gaming Commission Considers Removing Dead Mobsters From Black Book

The Nevada Gaming Commission is preparing to examine whether two deceased organized crime figures should remain on Nevada's List of Excluded Persons, commonly known as the Black Book. William Cammisano Jr. and Peter Ribaste, both with historical ties to Kansas City organized crime, were previously barred from Nevada casinos and remain listed despite their deaths. The review raises questions about the purpose and scope of Nevada's exclusion mechanisms in the modern regulatory environment.

Nevada's Black Book has served as a cornerstone of the state's gaming regulatory framework since its establishment, functioning as a public roster of individuals deemed unsuitable for casino access due to criminal history, organized crime connections, or other conduct threatening gaming integrity. Inclusion on the list carries significant stigma and practical consequences, as casinos must refuse service to listed individuals. Historically, the list included numerous organized crime figures whose exclusion was deemed essential to protecting the industry from mob influence and corruption.

The question of whether deceased individuals should remain on the Black Book touches on broader regulatory philosophy. Some argue that maintaining listings posthumously serves historical and deterrent purposes, documenting the state's commitment to excluding organized crime elements. Others contend that exclusion mechanisms are inherently forward-looking enforcement tools designed to prevent living individuals from accessing casinos, making posthumous listings administratively unnecessary. The distinction reflects differing views on whether the Black Book functions primarily as a regulatory tool or as a historical record.

This review occurs within a context where Nevada's gaming landscape has evolved significantly since the Black Book's inception. Modern regulatory frameworks, surveillance technology, and law enforcement capabilities differ substantially from earlier eras. The commission's decision will likely establish precedent for how Nevada treats deceased exclusions going forward. Whether the state opts to maintain historical listings or remove them upon death will signal whether the Black Book is viewed primarily as an active enforcement mechanism or as a permanent institutional record of the industry's regulatory history.