The Brian Lehrer Show New York's Gambling History
Aug 12, 2025
Adam Gopnik, a staff writer for The New Yorker and author of The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery, dives into the captivating history of gambling in New York City. He discusses iconic figures like Arnold Rothstein and his innovative role in shaping organized crime. Listeners hear about thrilling underground poker games and the deep-rooted impact of gambling on families and communities. Gopnik also explores the darker legacies of addiction and the complex consequences of casinos, revealing the intertwined fate of gambling culture and society.
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Rothstein Nationalized Gambling
- Arnold Rothstein built a national gambling network using layoffs to balance bets across regions.
- His system became a foundation for national organized crime infrastructure.
World Series Fix And Mythmaking
- Rothstein's legend grew from involvement in sports-fixing like the 1919 World Series.
- New research suggests players initiated the fix and Rothstein amplified his role for reputation.
Lottery's Mixed Local Role
- State lotteries now prey on disadvantaged communities but also mirrored earlier local numbers games.
- Such games sometimes enabled upward moves, like Colin Powell's father buying a home.
