Organized crime groups originating from Italy called "mafias" operate through crimes such gambling and smuggling as their main sources of income.
A popular urban legend, even in Japan, says that the Sicilian Vespers rebellion which started on March 30, 1282 is when the word "mafia" was coined, being short for "Morte Alla Francia Italia Anelia!" ("Death to the French is Italy's Cry!") though this is largely disputed.
