Blackballed in Vegas

Frankie Citro looks at some of the many 45 rpm records in his collection. He donates time for charity -- rounding up bands and singing his beloved doo-wop music at fundraisers.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Frankie Citro spends Tuesday nights at a local bar playing backgammon while chain smoking. Of being placed in the state’s Black Book, Citro says, “They¿ve made it so I can¿t find work in this town. It¿s like I have leprosy.”   (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Frankie Citro still has some of his old skills, including trick shuffling, which he practices in his mobile home. He is seeking to be the first person to get off the Gaming Control Board’s excluded persons list while still alive.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Because of his criminal conviction, Frankie Citro had to downgrade from nice homes to a double-wide mobile home on Las Vegas’ north end.   (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Frankie Citro has lunch at his home with his family, including his son, Frankie Jr., left, wife Cookie and daughter Bettina. [For the record: A previous version of this photo caption misspelled Bettina Citro’s name as Betina.]   (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Frankie Citro steps into an Italian restaurant on the city’s north side. He has influential people backing his bid to get off the excluded persons list. Among them is former Nevada Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren.   (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Smoke rises above Frankie Citro as he plays backgammon at a local watering hole near his home. Because he’s been blackballed by Nevada casino regulators, there are only so many nightspots in town where he’s still welcome.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

The lights of the Las Vegas Strip glimmer in the distance as Frankie Citro sits and smokes in his mobile home. He still loves Vegas despite not being able to indulge in the city’s main draw: gambling.   (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)