College betting opened up for the first week of football and we flopped "the nuts." Translation being it could not have fallen better for the books. The Notre Dame and UNLV games could be considered rail splitters, but even that did not hurt as people who are recreational bettors often play into the wrong side of the "optimum number," turning an absolute winning bet into a loser. But the real winning wagers were the books capitalizing on the excitement of the product we were serving up. I do not have a marketing degree or anything even close, but I do have a sense of what makes people bet and show up again, even if we label them as recreational players. The ending of the Jackson State/Mississippi game and East Carolina versus Tulsa can’t be quantified in money won or lost, but only on the fever pitch insanity it was responsible for. The people in our books became more friendly and the action made it easier for them to break silence to a complete stranger when these endings happen. They will make a comment, order another Corona and most likely make a bet they might not have made on their way out the door. And it is only September. Look at it this way. Me and you go into the Jet nightclub, the music is loud enough to be heard in Salt Lake City but there are only 12 other people in the place. We pay our tab and end up at the Fremont Street Experience with no cover charge. But if Lindsey Lohan is dancing at the next table, you’re all-in until they bust you. Get the picture? And the capper for Saturday was it never hurts when you win probably the most pivotal game of the day. Washington starting as a 3-point dog, and closing -2 . Keep it moving, keep ‘em happy, and throw in a Hail Mary once in while. Now, that is a far cry from brain surgery. First week of the NFL, look for the dogs to win the battle of covering; it’s just a thought. Take care, Jimmy V. Jimmy Vaccaro is the director of sports operations for Lucky’s sports books.
Granted, it was Labor Day weekend but it went a lot further than that. Favorites and dogs played around 50% and major moves were about the same with no major damage.
Gamblers at Atlantic City casinos may someday be able to place bets while standing in line for dinner, in a lounge, or beside a swimming pool. The proposal comes as Atlantic City is feverishly trying to come up with new ways to attract customers.
Station Casinos’ sports book operations added well-respected race and sports book veteran Chuck Esposito, who will take over as Director of Race and Sports Book Operations at Sunset Station in Henderson.
On the Mark | It’s been nothing but New York owns New England, Eli is better than Brady when the pressure is on and Coughlin is a hero. Best of all was Benjamin Lyons betting $1,000 on the first score of the Super Bowl being safety and winning $51,000.
Vaccaro’s Views | As Dandy Don Meredith once so eloquently said, "Turn out the lights, the party is "finally" over." For us in Nevada the meaning really resonates for all of us. One can only imagine if we did not have this spectacle called the Super Bowl.
Some players seem to believe that whatever the winning amount shown on a slot machine is the amount that the casino has to pay. That’s the argument being used by Pauline McKee who says she won $42 million while playing a penny slot machine.
