Race and sports books are major components of the gamblingoperations at casinos in Las Vegas and elsewhere around Nevada, yetthe marketing of them is low-profile when compared with the moreprofitable gambling options.
People who make a study of betting on sports and handicappinghorse races perceive themselves more as investors than gamblers inmuch the same way as poker professionals. Collectively, theyrepresent a demographic profile quite apart from slots and table-games players.
About the only time all year that race and sports books occupythe gambling spotlight is for the Super Bowl, when point spreads,odds and over-under figures attract national media attention andbecome a part of workplace vernacular.
This month, a blockbuster business deal was announced that has aslarge a potential impact on betting on horse races as a worldwidearea of linked machines would nave on slot machines. The deal wouldbring live simulcasting and legalization of co-mingled betting onraces from the renowned 123-year-old Hong Kong Jockey Club.
"Big deal," you say? You bet it is. Thoroughbred horse racing isthe No. 1 spectator sport in the Hong Kong region. Betting handle ona typical day's races exceeds $100 million. When bets from Americanhorse players are co-mingled in pools of that magnitude, which areunheard of at U.S. tracks except for the Kentucky Derby andBreeders' Cup, it sets the stage for monster payoffs and value forserious handicappers.
The Chinese government had previously banned foreign betting onits races, which are conducted twice a week at two tracks in HongKong from early September to early July. The racing cards start at10 p.m. Central time.
Las Vegas Dissemination Company (LVDC), the exclusive pari-mutuel service provider for Nevada's gaming industry and all majorout-of-state casinos, inked the deal with the Hong Kong Jockey Cluband will act as the exclusive provider of full betting services andlive broadcast of the races.
Vincent Magliulo, LVDC's vice president of marketing andcorporate development, said that his company is hopeful of sellingthe Hong Kong signal to off-track betting and simulcast locationsaround the United States, which means it may eventually come to theChicago area.
Interest is high among Nevada casinos and is even spreadingnationally. The giant American Indian-owned Foxwoods Resort Casinorecently obtained exclusive rights in Connecticut to present racingfrom Hong Kong in its Ultimate Race Book.
John G. Brokopp is a local free-lance gaming writer.
CASINO NEWS & NOTES
Complimentary live entertainment at the casino destinations inJoliet will be hopping this weekend with Five Guys Named Moeappearing onstage at Empress tonight and Saturday night. Over atHarrah's it will be Libido Funk Circus tonight and the Crown VicsSaturday night.
- In addition to a full slate of musical entertainment on tap inRocks Lounge at Blue Chip Casino Hotel in Michigan City, Ind., thisweekend, don't miss the Rock Art Show in the casino's GrandBallroom. Free and open to the public, the exhibit features art,lithographs, photographs, paintings, drawings and autographedhandwritten song lyrics from many of the world's most popularmusicians, singers and songwriters. Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. today andSaturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
No comments:
Post a Comment