This coming weekend will feature "Bracket Buster" Saturday in college basketball, which almost always attracts more public money. That means the Wiseguys will look to take advantage of "perception" and those line moves forced on the books by recreational bettors. Let’s see if we can isolate some teams in both college and NBA Basketball that the market is currently pricing incorrectly. Remember, the goal isn’t to "back or fade" these clubs each time out, but to look for spots where the matchup favors them and get the best of the number. Top 5 "Over-Valued" Sports Wagers NEW YORK KNICKS (NBA BASKETBALL) As much as I’m enjoying "Lin-Sanity" and feel it’s the jolt the NBA needed in this lockout shortened season, eventually the hype will force odds makers to inflate the price to back the Knicks. At the moment NY has covered 9 of 10 and has won 7 straight. Just like the Broncos experienced with Tebow, the market catches up and the value is gone. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (NBA BASKETBALL) No surprise here as these big market teams almost always come with a premium attached. The Lakers are now two games behind the Clippers for the top spot and only 13-16 ATS on the season. Lakers are 24th in the NBA in scoring and that’s not going to cover many spreads since they’re almost always favored. INDIANA PACERS (NBA BASKETBALL) The Pacers are the only threat in the Central for the Bulls but are still 6 games back. They’re also only 13-16 ATS this season, having dropped 7 straight vs. the number. Until forward Danny Granger gets healthy, this is not a team I’ll be looking to back. BAYLOR (NCAA BASKETBALL) The hype from an amazing football season carried over to basketball and the Bears have responded by going 8-11 ATS this season. They are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 and as long as they continue to attract money at the betting window, there’s no reason for books to offer them at a discount. GEORGE MASON (NCAA BASKETBALL) A previous Cinderella continues to be a fan favorite and seems to always attract money from bettors. The Patriots are tied for the top spot in the Colonial Athletic Conference but are only 10-15 ATS. Don’t expect that to change especially when the postseason begins and they are labeled the team to beat. Top 5 "Under-Valued" Sports Wagers PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (NBA BASKETBALL) The NBA world continues to wait for the Sixers to self-destruct but they are not cooperating. Instead, Philly currently sits on top of the Atlantic Division at 20-10 SU and a profitable 18-11 ATS. It always takes a while for "perception" to change and as long as bettors aren’t backing the 76ers, there’s no reason for odds makers to adjust. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (NBA BASKETBALL) When King James left for South Beach , the end of a playoff run for the city of Cleveland came to an end. At 11-16 SU this season and 11 games behind the top spot, they won’t be making their way back just yet. But, they have been producing a profit at 16-11 ATS and that shouldn’t end any time soon. ORLANDO MAGIC (NBA BASKETBALL) The "other" team from Florida gets very little respect and that’s fine by me as they continue to cash tickets. The Magic are only 4 games behind the Heat, but receive no attention from the media. Because of that, they’ve gone 17-13 ATS this season. As long as the Heat remain on top, Orlando will be an afterthought. NEW MEXICO (NCAA BASKETBALL) The Lobos may not be ranked in the AP Top 25 but could be the top dog in the much improved Mountain West. Currently a game ahead of UNLV and SD State, the Lobos are 16-6 ATS and the team nobody is talking about. That’s Value !! LSU (NCAA BASKETBALL) Currently in the SEC basement at 5-6, the Tigers have been more profitable than Kentucky , Florida , Vandy and Miss St. Remember, the "spread" is always the great equalizer when it comes to betting sports and the Tigers continue to be offered at a huge discount. MARKET MONEY METER : NBA & CBB = 65% SHARP / 35% PUBLIC Wiseguy money still overwhelms the books when compared to public money for most matchups, unless they’re prime-time televised games. The ratio is slowly starting to tip more towards the recreational bettors side. When the Madness arrives, they’ll definitely crash the wise guys party and be more of a focus for odds makers. (Vegas-Runner is a professional sports bettor in Las Vegas . He’s been featured on CNBC, ESPN and currently holds the record for "Most Units Won" in a single year at the Sports Monitor. Follow VR on Twitter @vegasrunner and at Pregame.com.)
GamingToday’s Micah Roberts went right back to the Oracle for a new Preakness pick and Jay Rood came up with his selection once he knew Union Rags was not headed to Pimlico.
An Internet gambling bill being considered by New Jersey lawmakers could allow Atlantic City’s casinos to take bets from people in other states or countries, although key details remain to be worked out.
The nation’s commercial casinos continued their slow-but-steady comeback from the recession last year, with revenues up 3 percent nationwide and jobs holding nearly steady, according to a report released Wednesday.
Revel, the $2.4 billion casino resort widely seen as Atlantic City’s best hope of survival, trailed most of its competition in its first month of operation, placing 8th out of the city’s 12 casinos.
New signs are up to direct visitors, the sidewalks have been power-washed, crosswalks have been freshly painted and 1,600 people have been hired to inaugurate the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland on Monday.
