Westgate SuperBook Senior Risk Supervisor Casey Degnon is a relative newcomer to the sports betting industry. But he must know what he’s doing. He won the first-quarter mini-contest of Bookies Battle 2022 and heads into the second quarter with a tie for the season lead.
After studying criminology at the University of Tampa, the 28-year-old New Jersey native moved to Las Vegas, got his foot in the door at one of the premier sportsbooks in the country, the Westgate SuperBook, and began working his way up the ladder.
We caught up with Casey this week over the phone and talked about his start in the sports betting industry, misconceptions people have about the business, the one thing he would tell every novice bettor, and more.
Getting Started In The Sports Betting Industry
Gaming Today: How long have you worked for the Westgate Superbook, and what led to you getting into the sports betting industry?
Degnon: I started working here in August 2019 as a part-time teller. I’ve always been interested in sports and betting on games, and I knew the industry was something I was interested in. So, after getting out of school, I moved to Vegas and applied for an entry-level position to get my foot in the door. I’ve been working my way up ever since.
Industry Misconceptions
Gaming Today: Now that you are a part of the sports betting industry, what would you say is the biggest misconception people have about it?
Degnon: The fix is not in. Every time a questionable call from the refs impacts the outcome of a game or the outcome is not what someone wants, you’ll see people comment on social media about how the refs are in on it, and the sportsbooks knew what was going to happen. But that is not the case at all. The fix is not in.
The Process
Gaming Today: Speaking of questionable calls, is that something you guys can take into account when setting lines?
Degnon: No, questionable calls are not something we can account for. They are a regrettable part of the game that just happen. You can’t predict them.
Gaming Today: What’s the process like for assessing games? How does a sportsbook generate each game’s point spread, moneyline, and total?
Degnon: It’s a collective effort. Sunday afternoons, we all get together, and everyone gives their take on the following week’s games. Senior guys get a little more input, but everyone gets to contribute. In the end, the boss has the final say.
Advice For New Bettors
Gaming Today: If there was one thing you would want every novice bettor to know before they start betting, what would that be?
Degnon: Stick with -110 odds. If you want to make money betting on games, stick with the -110 odds. Stay away from parlays and longer odds. You’ll have a better chance of coming out ahead if you stick with -110 odds.
Gaming Today: Last but not least, how about some predictions? What’s your take on the Super Bowl, World Series, and the NBA?
Degnon: I like the Bills over the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Buffalo has some injury issues in the secondary right now, but their front office has proven it’s willing to do what it takes to get people to help the team win now. With how Josh Allen is playing, it’s hard to go against them right now.
As for the World Series, I like the Dodgers over the Astros. For the NBA Finals, the Clippers over the 76ers, but that’s assuming their roster can stay healthy, which Kawhi Leonard has struggled to do in recent years.
Also in the Bookmaker Spotlight: BetMGM’s Jason Scott | Bally Bet’s Jay Rood
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