I only know one thing for sure...no matter the finacial environment, there are people ALWAYS buying jewelry, fancy cars, boats, Hummers, and big houses......there are people at every NFL game paying top dollars and Southwest at least seemed very very busy in January, and February, and March....
People make money both legally and illegally in any financial environment. There was a time when the LA La Lakers had major problems with ticket scalping. Seems that the mob bought up most of the tickets and gave them to gang bangers. There were some confrontations and even gun shots in the parking lot.