Gangsters - List of fronts for illegal businesses
Peter Moreland
There are over a dozen types of illegal business that can be established
in Gangsters. Each business supplies an underground demand for illegal
goods or services.
Each illegal business must have a front. This not only presents the way
in and out of the illegal site, but also provides cover for the
activities of the illegal business. Some businesses make better fronts
than others, depending on the illegal business: A printers makes an
ideal front for the counterfeit operation, whilst Gyms are ideal places
to stage prizefights.
The natural enemy of the illegal business is the F.B.I. The agents are
incorruptible, and very ruthless in their hunting down and raiding of
all illegal businesses.
Card Games
These should only be established in the poorer areas, where people can
meet away from prying eyes. Book Stores, Pool Halls, Cafes and Barbers
shops are all good fronts for this type of activity.
Casinos
Best established in the wealthier areas. Huge profits can be obtained
from these businesses, which must then be carefully distributed to avoid
detection. For this reason, large buildings such as the Main Bank, Hotel
and the Department Stores are the ideal fronts.
Counterfeit
The presses do not make any profit in themselves, but instead produce
counterfeit money, which is then laundered through your legal
businesses. Printers are the ideal fronts, but the Banks are also worth
considering.
Dice Games
Seedy back-street games, these really belong to the poorer areas of the
city. Pawnbrokers, Pool Halls, Cafes and Barbers shops are all places
that can successfully shelter this type of activity.
Gambling Den
The Gambling Dens are little more than a poor man's casino. Cheap card
games and dice, plus the occasional roulette wheel are usual in these
sites. Pawnbrokers, Pool Halls, Cafes and Barbers shops all provide
adequate cover.
Grifters
The popular term for pickpockets. Like many other of the illegal
businesses, these belong to the poorer end of life. A Tattooist, Pool
Hall, Cafe or Barber shops should see this business safe.
Insider Trading
Making profit the underhand way. Insider trading really belongs to the
commercial centre, and can easily hide behind Accountants, Finance
Companies, Real Estate and the smaller Banks.
Loan Sharks
Lending money at atrocious rates of interest. Loan Sharks can be found
across the whole width of the city, but are best hidden by Finance
Companies, the Banks or Real Estate.
Moonshine Stills
These are non-profit making sites that are essential suppliers for your
speakeasies. Drug Stores, Plumbers, Blacksmiths and Saddlers provide the
best cover, as does anywhere that can hide the pipes, the chemicals or
the smell!
Numbers Racket
The local lottery. Fixed, of course. This business offers the poor the
chance to win money, but never delivers. The General Stores, Cafes,
Pawnbrokers and Printers are all good spots to hide this behind.
Prizefights
Gambling on the outcome of a boxing match. Prizefights have always been
popular with the working man. Gyms and Pool Halls are fine places for
this activity, whilst a Cab Company also offers the space needed to
stage the fight.
Speakeasy
One of the best profit making businesses, the speakeasy is however
entirely dependent on the supply of liquor, whether stolen or produced.
Welcomed by all, the speakeasies can comfortably hide behind Breakfast
Bars, Cafes, Milk Bars and Restaurants.
Teamsters
This business can only be established behind the Union Building. Whilst
you possess the Teamsters building, you can control the strike action of
the industrial area, and also call on the block vote system during an
election.
Whorehouses
Whorehouses can be found throughout the city, wherever there is a market
for the service these businesses provide. Massage Parlors, Dance Studios
and all Hotels all provide excellent cover for this activity.
Offices
Your offices don't bring in any money, but they do help improve the
efficiency of your gang. Hoods always start their orders from the office
nearest to their target. Consequently, the greater the network of your
offices, the less time your hoods take to reach their destination.
Peter