Arnold Rothstein

Arnold Rothstein (1882–1928) was an American gambler, businessman, and underworld figure who became one of the most influential leaders in New York City’s organized crime scene.

Arnold Rothstein (1882–1928) was an American gambler, businessman, and underworld figure who became one of the most influential leaders in New York City’s organized crime scene. Known as “The Brain,” he was widely associated with influence-peddling, illegal gambling, bootlegging, and the alleged fixing of the 1919 World Series.

Early life and rise

Rothstein was born in New York City in 1882 and became known as a major gambling figure at a young age. Biographical sources describe him as a businessman who moved from gambling into larger criminal and influence networks.

Organized crime activities

He became a leading figure in New York organized crime, with reported involvement in gambling, bootlegging, loan sharking, and political influence. Several sources describe him as a key figure in the development of modern American organized crime.

1919 World Series scandal

Rothstein is strongly associated with the alleged fixing of the 1919 World Series, though accounts differ on the exact nature of his role. Some sources describe him as a mastermind or financial backer, while others say he was never convicted and that his involvement was indirect.

Death and legacy

Rothstein was shot at the Park Central Hotel in Manhattan on November 4, 1928 and died two days later. He later became a cultural reference point in fiction and historical writing, including associations with Meyer Wolfsheim in The Great Gatsby. Several sources describe him as an important mentor or influence on figures such as Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky.