A mafia is a particular type of criminal organization, with a code, with rituals, with a strong law of silence. I think it must be distinguished from a gang. The Yakuza and the Triad qualify for this quiz, LA and Birmingham gangs don't. As for the world series question, I don't get it... it's not interesting at the very least.
On the other hand, some basic stuff is not asked for, such as the Omertà, Lucky Luciano, John Gotti... I would also make a case of more Italian stuff: The Calabrian mafia ('Ndrangheta) has taken much importance since the decline of the sicilian one, and the Camorra, the Napolitan one, is rather well-known as well.
I'm not sure why you think the L.A. gangs don't qualify, as they are organized, have a hierarchical structure (with ranks and paid (!) membership, codes (rules), rituals and vows of silence.
You could say that the mafia is an Italian-derived term that can only apply to Italian and Italian-American criminal organizations (thus not including the Bloods, the Yakuza or Medellín cartel), though this at odds with the actual usage of the word, as reflected by a dictionary; or you can say that it is a general term for a kind of criminal organization, in which case everything can stay.
I mess with the mob too much, was literally just rewatching some Sopranos and Donnie Brasco right before this and I'm making a mob screenplay for fun. Only missed Zetas
On the other hand, some basic stuff is not asked for, such as the Omertà, Lucky Luciano, John Gotti... I would also make a case of more Italian stuff: The Calabrian mafia ('Ndrangheta) has taken much importance since the decline of the sicilian one, and the Camorra, the Napolitan one, is rather well-known as well.
You could say that the mafia is an Italian-derived term that can only apply to Italian and Italian-American criminal organizations (thus not including the Bloods, the Yakuza or Medellín cartel), though this at odds with the actual usage of the word, as reflected by a dictionary; or you can say that it is a general term for a kind of criminal organization, in which case everything can stay.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tong_(organization)