The FBI finds out about the mob's scheme through an unrelated wiretap on Artie Piscano, which eventually reveals the faulty foundation of the entire Tangiers casino. However, the mob is never able to overcome the illegal foundation of the casino in their quest to keep control. However, Rothstein can't get a casino license due to his criminal history and associations, so he and Stone devise a scheme to stop his license application from ever being officially processed - allowing him to manage the casino as it is not rejected.

The plan is predicated on another mob associate Sam 'Ace' Rothstein managing the Tangiers operations.