A mobster is a term used to describe a member or associate of an organized crime group, typically involved in activities such as racketeering, gambling, drug trafficking and extortion. The term comes from the slang word for "mobile," which refers to the ability of these criminals to move around quickly and adapt to changing situations. Mobsters are often associated with Italian-American organized crime groups such as the mafia or other criminal organizations, but can also refer to members of any organized crime group.