Betting On The Mob -- Who Will Be Gotti's Successor?

NEW YORK - Even before Mafia chieftain John Gotti was convicted on racketeering charges, law enforcers and mob watchers were drawing up a list of those likely to replace him as head of the Gambino crime family.

He was convicted of ordering the murder of his predecessor as head of the Gambino crime family, "Big Paul" Castellano. Salvatore "Sammy Bull" Gravano, Gotti's former right-hand man who turned state's evidence and became the key prosecution witness, testified that Gotti ordered the slayings.

As Gotti once remarked to Gravano, "If I get 50 years, I know what I gotta do."

That, presumably, is step down.

Sometime in the next few weeks the family's 20-odd captains - or capos - probably will meet to choose a successor. The likely candidates, with odds by law enforcers and mob watchers:

"Joe Butch" Corrao, 55: Tall, dark and handsome, police say the genial Little Italy restaurateur has been the family's "street boss" since the incarceration of Gotti and Gravano 15 months ago. He was indicted on racketeering charges in December, and released on bail. Odds: 2 to 1.

Nicky Corozzo, 52: A Gotti jailhouse visitor known for his ability to handle volumes of stolen goods. Beat racketeering rap with Gotti in 1987. Odds: 5 to 1.

Giuseppe "Joe" Arcuri, 80: Gotti allegedly named him underboss earlier this year. According to the New York Daily News, he is "popular among other geriatric gangsters (and) poses no threat to Gotti." Odds: 20 to 1.

John A. "Junior" Gotti, 28: Gotti's musclebound son was promoted to captain two years ago and given his own crew. His chief credential is his lineage. FBI agent Jules Bonavolanta said: "Nothing could please us better. You're not talking about a brain surgeon." Odds: 100 to 1.

"Jimmy Brown" Failla, 73: In 1986, Fortune magazine ranked him No. 36 on its list of the nation's 50 top mob bosses; today, he is one of the few of the 50 who is neither in jail nor dead. He beat a racketeering rap in 1987. Odds: 200 to 1.