31 Mafia Trivia Questions

Mafia culture has captivated the world for decades through movies, books, and real-life stories of organized crime. 

Whether you’re a fan of classic gangster films or just curious about the history of these criminal organizations, our Mafia trivia questions will definitely put your knowledge to the test. 

Let’s begin. 

Mafia Trivia Questions

1. Historical Beginnings: What was the name of the secret society from which the modern Mafia in Sicily is believed to have evolved, and in which century did it first come into existence?
   
   
2. American Expansion: Which Mafia figure is credited with establishing the first Italian-American Mafia network across major cities in the United States in the early 20th century?
   
   
3. The Commission’s Creation: In what year was the American Mafia’s governing body, known as The Commission, first established, and who was the driving force behind its creation?
   
   
4. Infamous Bosses: Name the infamous boss of the Chicago Outfit who was famously implicated in the Valentine’s Day Massacre but never convicted for this crime.
   
   
5. Mafia in Las Vegas: Who was the organized crime figure that played a pivotal role in the development of Las Vegas into a gambling and entertainment hub by funneling Mafia funds into the city’s casinos?
   
   
6. Operation Underworld: During World War II, the U.S. government formed an unlikely alliance with the Mafia to protect the New York waterfront and to seek assistance in Sicily for the Allied invasion. Who was the notorious mobster they collaborated with?
   
   
7. The Apalachin Meeting: In what year did the Apalachin Meeting take place, leading to a massive crackdown on Mafia operations across the United States after it unexpectedly exposed the Mafia to law enforcement?
   
   
8. Witness Protection Program: What was the name of the first Mafia member to break the Omertà (code of silence), testify against the Mafia in 1963, and subsequently become a part of the Witness Protection Program?
   
   
9. RICO Act: The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO Act) has been a critical tool in combating organized crime. In what year was it enacted?
   
   
10. The Five Families: Can you name the Five Families that dominate organized crime activities in New York City and have been a major part of the Mafia’s operations since the Commission’s establishment?
    
    
11. Global Reach: Which country is home to the ‘Ndrangheta, an organized crime group considered one of the most powerful Mafia organizations in the world?
    
    
12. Historic Trial: What was the name of the historic trial that took place in the 1980s, leading to the conviction of hundreds of Mafia members in Sicily?
    
    
13. Japanese Counterpart: What is the name of the Japanese equivalent of the Mafia, known for its strict code of conduct and hierarchical structure?
    
    
14. Russian Mob: After the fall of the Soviet Union, which figure emerged as a prominent leader of the Russian Mafia, known for his ruthless consolidation of power?
    
    
15. The Godfather Influence: Which real-life Mafia boss was rumored to have been upset by his portrayal in Mario Puzo’s novel “The Godfather” and the subsequent film adaptation?
    
    
16. FBI Operation: What was the name of the FBI operation in the late 20th century that used undercover agent Joseph Pistone to infiltrate the Mafia, leading to over 100 convictions?
    
    
17. Canadian Mafia: What is the name of the port city in Canada that has been a significant hub for Mafia activity, especially in the drug trade?
    
    
18. Mafia and the Arts: Which famous Italian filmmaker directed “The Godfather Part III”, a movie that includes a fictional representation of Mafia involvement in the Vatican?
    
    
19. French Connection: What was the name of the smuggling operation run by the Mafia in the 1960s and 1970s that transported heroin from Turkey to France and then to the United States?
    
    
20. Anti-Mafia Judge: Who was the Italian judge and prosecutor who led a significant campaign against the Mafia in Sicily in the late 20th century, ultimately assassinated by the Mafia in 1992?
    
    
21. Early 20th Century New York: Name the infamous gangster who was known as the “Prime Minister of the Underworld” in New York City during the Prohibition era.
    
    
22. The Castellammarese War: Identify the two rival bosses involved in the bloody power struggle known as the Castellammarese War, which took place from 1929 to 1931.
    
    
23. Heroin Pipeline: What was the code name for the Sicilian Mafia’s operation in the 1950s and 1960s that established a heroin pipeline from Sicily to the United States?
    
    
24. Mafia Summit: In which Sicilian town did a major international Mafia summit take place in 1957, involving American and Sicilian mobsters to discuss the future of heroin trade?
    
    
25. Innovative Law Enforcement Tool: What groundbreaking surveillance technique was first successfully used against the Mafia in the 1950s by the FBI?
    
    
26. Teflon Don: By what nickname was John Gotti, the boss of the Gambino family, famously known, due to his ability to avoid convictions early in his career?
    
    
27. Operation Gladio and the Mafia: How was the Italian Mafia allegedly involved with Operation Gladio, a clandestine NATO operation during the Cold War?
    
    
28. Italian Anti-Mafia Legislation: What significant legal tool, named after an assassinated judge, was introduced in Italy to combat organized crime by confiscating Mafia assets?
    
    
29. The Pizza Connection Trial: What was the focus of the “Pizza Connection” trial that took place in the mid-1980s in the United States?
    
    
30. First Mafia Boss to Turn Informant: Who was the first recognized boss within the American Mafia to break the code of silence and become a government witness?
    
    
31. Triads and the Mafia: What is the term for the Chinese equivalent of the Mafia, known for its operations in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Chinese communities overseas?

Answers

1. Historical Beginnings: The secret society is believed to have evolved from the Sicilian Vespers, a rebellion that led to the expulsion of the Angevins from Sicily in the late 13th century.
   
   
2. American Expansion: Giuseppe “Joe” Masseria is often credited with establishing the first Italian-American Mafia network.
   
   
3. The Commission’s Creation: The Commission was established in 1931, with Charles “Lucky” Luciano as the driving force behind its creation.
   
   
4. Infamous Bosses: Al Capone is the infamous boss associated with the Valentine’s Day Massacre.
   
   
5. Mafia in Las Vegas: Meyer Lansky played a pivotal role in developing Las Vegas by investing Mafia money into its casinos.
   
   
6. Operation Underworld: The U.S. government collaborated with Charles “Lucky” Luciano during World War II.
   
   
7. The Apalachin Meeting: The meeting took place in 1957 and was a significant event that exposed the Mafia to law enforcement.
   
   
8. Witness Protection Program: Joseph Valachi was the first Mafia member to break the Omertà and testify against the Mafia in 1963.
   
   
9. RICO Act: The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO Act) was enacted in 1970.
   
   
10. The Five Families: The Five Families are the Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese families.
    
    
11. Global Reach: The ‘Ndrangheta is based in Calabria, Italy.
    
    
12. Historic Trial: The Maxi Trial took place in Palermo, leading to significant convictions of Mafia members.
    
    
13. Japanese Counterpart: The Yakuza is the Japanese equivalent of the Mafia.
    
    
14. Russian Mob: Semion Mogilevich is often cited as a prominent figure in the Russian Mafia post-Soviet Union.
    
    
15. The Godfather Influence: Carlo Gambino, a real-life Mafia boss, was rumored to be displeased by his family’s portrayal in “The Godfather.”
    
    
16. FBI Operation: Operation Donnie Brasco was the FBI operation involving Joseph Pistone.
    
    
17. Canadian Mafia: Montreal is known as a significant hub for Mafia activity in Canada.
    
    
18. Mafia and the Arts: Francis Ford Coppola directed “The Godfather Part III.”
    
    
19. French Connection: The smuggling operation is famously known as the French Connection.
    
    
20. Anti-Mafia Judge: Giovanni Falcone was the judge who led an extensive anti-Mafia campaign and was assassinated in 1992.
    
    
21. Early 20th Century New York: Arnold Rothstein was known as the “Prime Minister of the Underworld.”
    
    
22. The Castellammarese War: The war was between Joe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano.
    
    
23. Heroin Pipeline: The operation was known as “The French Connection.”
    
    
24. Mafia Summit: The town of Palermo hosted the 1957 Mafia summit.
    
    
25. Innovative Law Enforcement Tool: Wiretapping was the groundbreaking technique.
    
    
26. Teflon Don: John Gotti was famously known as the “Teflon Don.”
    
    
27. Operation Gladio and the Mafia: The Mafia was allegedly involved in Operation Gladio to help prevent the spread of communism in Italy.
    
    
28. Italian Anti-Mafia Legislation: The Rognoni-La Torre law was introduced for this purpose.
    
    
29. The Pizza Connection Trial: It focused on a multimillion-dollar heroin and cocaine smuggling operation that used pizzerias as fronts.
    
    
30. First Mafia Boss to Turn Informant: Tommaso Buscetta was the first significant boss to become an informant.
    
    
31. Triads and the Mafia: The term “Triads” is used for the Chinese equivalent of the Mafia.