Cannot think of a better title for this thread even though all the evidence disclosed thus far seems to clear Ohtani of any wrongdoing. This report today was, to me, both expected but also somewhat shocking: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40058806/ohtani-money-mizuhara-bookie-vegas-casino All the behind the scenes whispers suggested what is being reported had been going for a while and was more than just rumors. And while I think the Vegas customer at large does not care the least about casinos and illegal bookies helping one another when deciding where to stay and play, I wonder how the gaming commission will react. My guess, they will levy a fine on Resorts World that ultimately amounts to a drop in the bucket but will allow them to wag their fingers and claim they are outraged (similar to what they did in the past with LVS). As a character in a film I really enjoy once said: we are looking for the illusion of due diligence
Might make a good movie. You don't think RW will get fined/sanctioned by the Feds in addition to Nevada?
Its certainly possible but at this point, I wouldn't count on it. I'm guessing that RW is already working with the feds and/or US Attorney to provide information to help prosecute the bookies. They likely got some immunity or protection in return for their help. RW and other casinos will lay the blame on individual bad actors (like Sibella). The feds seem more interested in shutting down the bookies than going after some casino executives
Speaking solely for myself, I do think that there's going to be an enormous amount of attention from law enforcement and regulators on the internal controls that are in place. These systems are supposed to be designed so that a single bad actor can't circumvent them on their own. And someone running an illicit bookmaking operation via an MGM Grand or a Resorts World is not making any real money for the property; it's just not worth it. So while I personally don't think there's much risk of huge fines or criminal penalties, they might wind up getting babysitters, which could be even worse.
I was curious what you were hearing from Vegas. I assume this problem is more widespread than just one or two properties. The big bust of that asian horse betting operation being run out of a CP villa several years ago immediately springs to mind!
"Oh what a tangled web we weave ..." This saga runs DEEP and is going to turn the gambling world (legal and illegal) upside down
Not to hijack, but I noticed today that at Fenway Park, BETMGM has a giant advertisement on the Big Green Monster. Not sure how I feel about that. Seems sacrilegious, but of course, I'm one of the degenerates who helped hasten this era of sports betting. I just wish young men like Mizuhara or Phil Mickelson or Scottie Pippen would have taken a step back and realized how bad it is to normalize such behavior when they were in the throes of losing millions of dollars.
I could be wrong, but I believe that has has been there for years and years @fenway68 would know better.
Same with Wayne Gretzky. I was super disappointed to see him in BetMGM ads in Ontario, Canada when sports betting became legal here in 2022.
I don't know any of the names in the story. But if someone tells me that the main person, Bowyer, is a longtime member of VMB, I would not be surprised.
What amazes me about stories like this or about insider traders, embezelers etc, is that these people expect to get away with it as if they're flying under the radar! These are high profile people and circumstances that won't go unnoticed in the long run.
It's wild that sports betting and weed have gone from "talked about around the fringes" taboo (for example, Al Michaels commenting "this final drive is intriguing to many people" as the +17 underdog drives late in the 4th quarter with the score 31-10) to front and center. IDK how I feel about it all-- sometimes I'd rather 'vice' be front and center/regulated rather than lurking in the shadows and sometimes I think the previous quasi-legality of it (WRT weed, I'm talking mid-aughts California and 1960s Alabama) played out ok... for many, not all. Anyway, I'm kinda glad that sports betting didn't get legalized yet in CA. It's where my gambling gets a bit degen so I'm thrilled there's at least some barriers to access.
If I'm not mistaken, some of Gretzky's payment for those BetMGM ads was a sizable amount of free play.
Whenever there is money kicking around, you can be sure there are plenty of hands trying to pick it up (legally and illegally). I’m not surprised…
Was curious so looked it up. I just don't watch that many Red Sox games. It went up last year. I guess maybe I agree with Dms79 that it's good that it's out in the open. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/03/08/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/red-sox-betmgm-logo-fenway-park-green-monster.aspx#:~:text=%2C%20which%20has%20been%20the%20team's,JOURNAL%2C%203%2F8).
