New Documentary Exposes Cleveland's Notorious Gambling Underworld and Mob Ties

From Alex Shondor Birns to Don King, this explosive film reveals how a shadowy lottery empire shaped crime—and boxing—in mid-century America. Will it rewrite history?

, and Administrator

2026 March 17 . 10:03 PM

1 min read

The image shows an old newspaper with a picture of two boxers in a boxing ring, with the words "Box... — The image shows an old newspaper with a picture of two boxers in a boxing ring, with the words "Box Sport" written across the top. The two men are wearing boxing gloves and appear to be in the middle of a match, with one of them throwing a punch at the other. The background of the image is a bright yellow, and the paper has a vintage feel to it.

New Documentary Exposes Cleveland's Notorious Gambling Underworld and Mob Ties

A new documentary is in development, based on Rick Porrello's book Bombs, Bullets, and Bribes. Filmmakers Tommy Reid and Danielle Alberico have secured the rights to the story, which delves into Cleveland's gambling underworld. The project has already drawn interest from investors eager to bring the dramatic tale to screen.

The documentary will explore the multi-million-dollar 'numbers' lottery racket that thrived during a volatile era in American history. At its centre are figures like mobster Alex Shondor Birns, boxing promoter Don King, and Dollree Mapp, whose lives intersected in Cleveland's criminal and boxing circles. The story stretches beyond Ohio, linking cities such as Miami, New York, Detroit, and Los Angeles to the illegal enterprise.

Reid and Alberico will co-direct, with Porrello joining as a producer. Reid sees the film as a natural prequel to *Kill the Irishman*, their earlier collaboration with Porrello. Alberico, meanwhile, is drawn to the project's vivid characters and the tangled relationship between organised crime and the boxing world. This marks the third partnership between Reid and Porrello, following *Kill the Irishman* and *Superthief*. Alberico's own documentary, *War on the Diamond*, is set for release later this year.

The team behind the documentary has begun work, with funding already in place. The film will trace the rise and fall of the 'numbers' racket, revealing how its influence spread across major US cities. Production details and a release timeline are expected to follow in the coming months.