A veteran entertainer from Las Vegas seeks a review of a 1991 casino prohibition that currently prohibits him from performing in casino lounge venues.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the Nevada Gaming Commission is anticipated to make a decision on Thursday regarding a hearing request from Francis Citro, 80, who was added to the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s Excluded Persons List on November 21, 1991. This list, often referred to as the “Black Book,” prevents those listed from entering casinos within the state.

Citro’s appeal is noteworthy, as removals from this list typically occur only posthumously. Should the commission elect to advance, it will later evaluate whether Citro’s name should be expunged from the list.

Citro, known for his association with Las Vegas’ Italian American Club, has expressed that being removed from the list would empower him to perform bebop music, Italian folk songs, comedic bits, and narratives connected to Las Vegas’ organized crime history in casino lounges. He recently showcased his talent at a private New Year’s Eve gathering in Arizona.

The petition for reconsideration was submitted in November by Citro’s attorney, Michael Lasher. In a detailed 10-page presentation to the commission, Lasher itemized the rationale for both a hearing and the repeal of Citro’s exclusion.

“Strong justification exists for the commission to approve a hearing and to lift the petitioner’s exclusion,” stated Lasher’s petition. “The petitioner was initially listed due to four felony convictions and a perceived unsavory character derived from media narratives and governmental crime documentation. Over the years, the petitioner has transformed his character and reputation into one that is highly regarded. He is now a reformed individual contributing positively to his community through charitable fundraising as an entertainer, a transformation that has not gone unnoticed by the media.”

According to Regulation 28, which regulates the exclusion list, those banned “may formally petition the commission in writing to request their removal from the list.” Citro is among 37 individuals currently on the list.

Lasher’s submission also highlights Citro’s charitable engagements. “The petitioner has actively participated in various fundraising initiatives for local charities,” the petition notes. “For instance, he organized a Christmas Dance Party to support the children at Child Haven, which resulted in letters of gratitude. He also contributed to a campaign that gathered 3,000 pairs of socks for homeless individuals.”

Citro has indicated his intention to attend the commission meeting. Commissioners will decide whether to consider the matter through a subsequent hearing or to reject the petition.

In conjunction with evaluating Citro’s petition, regulators are also addressing new nominations for the exclusion list. During its December meeting, the Nevada Gaming Control Board put forth Wayne Nix, a former minor league baseball player who pled guilty in April 2022 to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling enterprise and to falsifying a tax return. Nix’s sentencing has experienced multiple delays and is currently slated for March.

In January, the board also nominated Mathew Bowyer, an illegal bookmaker who confessed in 2023 to federal charges including operating an illegal gambling operation, money laundering, and tax fraud. Bowyer accepted wagers from around 700 individuals, including Ippei Mizuhara, who acted as the unofficial manager and translator for Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani.

Mizuhara was sentenced in February to four years in prison for misappropriating an estimated $17 million from Ohtani. Bowyer received a sentence of 12 months and one day in prison on August 29.

The commission has yet to announce a schedule for the deliberation of Nix and Bowyer’s nominations, nor have they confirmed if a hearing will be arranged for Citro’s petition should the commissioners choose to proceed.