Joseph Merlino, who is still considered by many to be the boss of the Philadelphia mafia is now facing a casino ban by the state of Pennsylvania.
According to reports Merlino often with an entourage has been making the rounds of the local casinos including the SuagrHouse in Philadelphia and Harrah’s in Chester. Now the Pennsylvania gaming control board is attempting to bar Skinny Joey from local casinos because he is identified as a member of organized crime and a convicted felon. This would make Merlino the first mafia boss to be banned from the states casinos since they opened back in 2006. Merlino has been barred from casinos in Atlantic City for over 30 years now, according to reports, although he was spotted back in an AC casino back 1998 with some of his Philly mafia pals.
“Joey Merlino“
Pennsylvania casino rules do allow for an exclusion list of “career criminals or professional offenders, cheats and other individuals whose presence in a licensed facility would be inimical to the interest of the commonwealth or license gaming therein.” Merlino made a trip to Harrah’s Casino in Chester on June 18th and was met by gaming control board members who attempted to serve him with a document but the alleged Philly mobster simply left the casino. The document was a motion to have him barred from all Pennsylvania casinos. The gaming enforcement agents are now asking for default judgement against Merlino placing him on the exclusion list immediately since they have been unable to properly serve him with the document.
According to reports an incident that took place back in March at the SugarHouse casino is part of the reason why this attempted ban is taking place now. Seems Merlino, who was back in town celebrating his birthday made his way to the casino with 12 of his friends when the incident occurred according to a Fox29 report. A disagreement took place between Merlino and his crew and several others at a blackjack table which led to some shoving and three punches being thrown before it was broken up by security. Casino documents claim “The large group of males, including Mr. Merlino reportedly threatened the other group and threatened that they would wait outside for them.”
Skinny Joey’s attorney Ed Jacobs said his client has not been properly served with documents and has done nothing wrong and is being barred “for no other reason than he’s Joey Merlino.” It was also pointed out that other high ranking members of the Philadelphia mob like Joseph Ligambi, Steven Mazzone, George Borgesi, or John Ciancaglini aren’t on the Pennsylvania exclusion list while others like mob associate Angelo Lutz are.
As high profile as Merlino often is now being a social media regular etc I can’t say that I am shocked at this attempt to bar him. Although it does seem kind of hypocritical that some with same kind of mob status are not barred while others are. But I guess its the casinos and gaming boards decision as to who to and not to include on the exemption list.
You make a great point about his celebrity status. If you think about it this is Joey’s fault in a way. If he had stayed in the shadows like he was supposed to then they wouldn’t be trying to make an example out of him.
The philly mob will take news like this any time. It’s better than being on there for other reasons like being arrested, murders, etc.
Could def be worse!
What just Italians excluded ….if Joey is banned then all drug dealers that are Felons in Philly should be banned….otherwise it is Selective Enforcement which is unethical……Also why aren’t all violent felons banned??// Let Joe Merlino play Black jack
Right when it comes to “undesirables” you could add to an exemption list there is a very wide range that should fit that criteria not just guys with mob ties or status.
Enough of this stupid persecution complex already.
Let Joey in! It’s good for business!
Good point, no doubt about it the guy can draw a crowd!
Whoever starts trouble with Joey and 12 of his friends deserves to get their ass beat. What are they stupid? Lmfao!
I was thinking that same thing, not a good idea to get into it with that bunch. Just walk away
I could deff see some of the guys in Philly not to happy with Joey always in some type of limelight. Not your typical boss always in the light of things when he should really be as underground as possible, and a boss on Instagram? I love Joey but jeez thats unheard of, im sure there are plenty of guys that have something to say about that, the feds are deff all over that to. He needs to start taking some notes from NY (Frank Cali, Barney Bellemo & Crea) you never hear a peep from any of those guy or can barely even find a picture of them. You just have to go on Joey’s Instagram to find a picture of him and Steve, he needs to smarten up before he finds himself back in the Feds crosshairs again, starting fights in casinos come on Joe!
Could definitely see guys like Ligambi and Chickie (old school guys) as not being very fond of that high profile style what so ever. It’s not like Joey doesn’t know the feds still have a hard on for him and are looking to break his balls at every possible opportunity.
its not surprising at all back in the 90s he was doing tv interviews the guy loves the attention has not changed 11 years did nothing for him feds are going to get him soon anyway feds down in Florida have been watching him for awhile they are going to get him i hate all this obsession people have with merlino what is he the boss of? a street gang this mob in that city is a joke has been since the 90s and merlino in the 90s boss of a “family” betting into legit bookies and not paying then wondering why they flip and a boss who cant run a book him and ralphie head had no brains and here a boss of a family is organizing hyjackings of baby food the guy is no mobster and he has done some very bad things which people always ignore because its merlino