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History

Gambino Crime Family

What is gambino crime family?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Type organized crime syndicate[1]
Base New York City[1]
Affiliation one of the American Mafia’s Five Families[1]
Roots late 19th-century Sicily[1]
Early head Salvatore D’Aquila[1]
Namesake Carlo Gambino[1]

The Gambino crime family is a New York City-based organized crime syndicate and one of the American Mafia’s Five Families, named for Carlo Gambino, who led it from 1957 to 1976.

Context

The Gambino crime family is a New York City-based organized crime syndicate and one of the American Mafia’s Five Families. Its roots trace to late 19th-century Sicily and an early New York incarnation headed by Salvatore D’Aquila. The family was later named for Carlo Gambino, who led it from 1957 to 1976 [1]. Under Gambino, operations included gambling, loansharking, hijacking, narcotics trafficking, and labor racketeering [1].

Documented claims

  • It is one of the Five Families that historically dominated organized crime in New York City. [1]
  • The earliest incarnation of the family was headed by Salvatore D’Aquila during the early years of Prohibition. [1]
  • Carlo Gambino became head after Albert Anastasia was murdered in 1957. [1]
  • Under Carlo Gambino, the family’s operations included gambling, loansharking, hijacking, narcotics trafficking, and labor racketeering. [1]

Questions and answers

Are the Gambino family still active?

The sources describe the family as historically active, but do not confirm current status [1].

Who is the biggest mobster of all time?

The sources do not rank mobsters by size or influence [1].

How much money does the Gambino family have?

The sources do not provide financial figures for the family [1].

Who is currently the boss of the Gambino family?

The sources do not name a current boss [1].

Sources

  1. Gambino crime family | History, Mafia, Boss, New York ... — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in History