Gaming Today

Vegas legend John Laurice passes away

John Laurice, who spent a couple of decades in the Las Vegas race and sports book industry, died March 19. He was 85 years old. Laurice was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. but grew up in Paterson, N.J. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955 and was stationed in Korea until his discharge in 1957. […]

Casino industry hopeful stimulus package helps

The U.S. House of Representatives was set to approve Friday a massive stimulus package to help businesses and employees furloughed or laid off by the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.   The vote comes after the Senate late Wednesday passed a $2 trillion coronavirus bill, which is the largest economic intervention in U.S. history.  Check Out […]

Mobile sports betting apps offering varied wagering menus

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak made a bold coronavirus decision last week to shut down casinos, putting human safety ahead of the state’s main source of income, which meant every sportsbook also had to shut its doors as well. But a few books such as William Hill, Circa Sports and Caesars Palace decided to keep its […]

Patrick McQuiggan dead at 64

Patrick McQuiggan, host of the long-running “Track Talk” radio show in Las Vegas, a regular guest on the Race Day Las Vegas and Thoroughbred Los Angeles radio shows, and the in-house handicapper for the South Point Hotel Casino, died Thursday night. He was 64. The cause of death was not immediately known. Known for his […]

A trying time for the books and bettors

I was supposed to use this space to talk about how the limited wagering menu is affecting Nevada sportsbooks and what bettors should do with some of their future and prop wagers. But this coronavirus story in Las Vegas has since become far too personal and evolved far more than what I could offer about […]

Las Vegas faces billion-dollar blackout

Nevada’s Governor Steve Sisolak on Tuesday ordered all nonessential businesses, including casinos, to close for 30 days in an effort to stem the outbreak of the coronavirus that has infected dozens of residents statewide. “In consultation with (Nevada) Gaming Control Board chair Sandra Douglas Morgan, I announce that all gaming machines, devices, table, games and […]

Station Casinos to remain open in downsized version

Station Casinos, a division within Red Rock Resorts, announced on Monday a series of operational changes to bring the company in line with Gov. Steve Sisolak’s new guidelines. In a memo to all employees, Station Casinos said the changes include all slot machines are to be cleaned and sanitized at a minimum of every two […]

NCAA Tournament will play to empty seats

The show will go on. Even as the coronavirus spreads throughout the United States. The NCAA announced Wednesday that its men’s and women’s basketball tournament will be played as scheduled. However, spectators will not be allowed at any of the sites. Only immediate families and essential staff from the participating teams will be admitted. The […]

Luck does have a seat at the table

Like it or not, luck plays a very big role in the game of poker. What is “luck?” Awhile back, we defined luck based upon a study by Professor Richard J. Wiseman: “Luck is success or failure brought about by chance rather than through one’s one actions.” Professor Wiseman heads the Psychology Research Department at […]

Value vs. Overlay

Every so often I get philosophical when asked about my approach to sports handicapping and betting. Much has changed in the half-century or so that I’ve followed sports and in response to recent inquiries on the topic I offer the following. I’ve often contemplated the difference between the terms ‘value’ and ‘overlay’ when it comes […]