Two dead mobsters removed from Nevada Black Book

The Nevada Gaming Commission has formally removed William Cammisano Jr. and Peter Ribaste from the state's Black Book, a historic regulatory action that closes the chapter on two figures long associated with organized crime influence in Nevada gaming. The vote was unanimous and the hearing concluded in under ten minutes, reflecting the straightforward nature of removing individuals who are no longer living from the exclusion registry.

The Black Book, officially known as the List of Excluded Persons, represents one of Nevada's most potent regulatory tools. Established to protect the integrity of gaming operations, it identifies individuals deemed unsuitable to have any involvement with casinos or gaming establishments. Placement on the list carries severe consequences, effectively barring individuals from entering licensed gaming venues and prohibiting operators from conducting business with them. The removal of deceased individuals is a procedural matter that periodically occurs as the regulatory body maintains the list's relevance.

Cammisano and Ribaste, both from Kansas City, had long histories intertwined with organized crime activities that prompted their original inclusion on the Black Book. Their removal underscores how regulatory exclusion lists evolve over time, particularly when individuals pass away and their direct threat to gaming operations ceases. However, the action also serves as a reminder of Nevada's historical struggles with mob influence in the gaming industry, a concern that shaped much of the state's modern regulatory framework.

The unanimous commission vote reflects broad agreement that removal was appropriate. While the removal of deceased individuals is largely procedural, it demonstrates the Gaming Commission's commitment to maintaining accurate records and ensuring the Black Book remains a current enforcement tool. The action has minimal operational impact on current gaming licensees but reinforces the regulatory infrastructure that has helped Nevada maintain gaming integrity for decades.