NCJ Number
143840
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Razzle Dazzle is a gambling game in which the player has essentially no chance of winning without the operator letting him win.
Abstract
Razzle Dazzle can be played using marbles, dice, clothespins, ping-pong balls, or Chinese sticks. The game consists of scoring a particular number and then referring to a chart to determine a winner or loser. These games are typically operated by gangs who travel around the country or set up their operations at roadside stops. These operations often attract affluent, intelligent marks who believe they can win and who are far away from home when they lose large amounts of money. To induce the mark to lose even more money, the operator will often employ "fair banking," cheating in favor of the player in order to build his confidence. Razzle Dazzle games are characterized by vague, complicated rules; a conversion chart used to distract the player; a means of doubling the bets; and a means of cheating either for or against the player. While the basic criminal charge against a Razzle Dazzle operator would be gambling, it may be possible to press others including fraud, false pretense, larceny, or theft by deception. Law enforcement officers making related arrests should look for records indicating substantial losses by players as well as other items used by the operator which could be analyzed by the Gambling Subunit of the FBI's crime laboratory.