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Buzz Daly: Sportsbook Scene

The mainstream media's track record in covering sports betting in general and offshore gaming in particular is pretty weak, given its reliance on naïve reporters, a predilection for half truths and its dogged insistence that "unregulated" Internet casinos can't be trusted.

However, the emergence of premium (subscription) TV channels offers the viewing public an alternative to the slick, superficial, ratings-driven programming of traditional broadcast networks.

Case in point: HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel", a sports magazine show that features intelligent, insightful and reflective coverage of hot button topics as well as other important issues.

The current edition of Real Sports, which is airing at various times on HBO channels through February 16, is pegged to the Super Bowl. Its lead segment examines betting on the big game and how the point spread is created. Unlike the leading TV networks, which mindlessly seek out the usual suspects in Las Vegas and come up with the same half-baked story year after year, Real Sports puts the right spin on the material.

In presenting the story, the show used as its main sources credible sports betting authorities: Billy Scott, from WWTS; Cesar Robaina, from Las Vegas Sports Consultants; and Robert Walker, from MGM-Mirage Properties.

Citing the Super Bowl as "the biggest day in sports betting", Real Sports names three venues which handle the bulk of the action:

* Nevada, where bets are taken by legal sportsbooks;

* Local areas throughout the U.S. served by illegal bookies; and what was defined as

* Quasi-legal action over the Internet.

That characterization of Internet betting is notable, because it is probably the first time a network TV show has ever acknowledged even the quasi-legality of the offshore industry.

Heretofore, the agenda-driven U.S. press has refused to explain that the issue has not yet been definitively adjudicated. And, until the Supreme Court renders a decision, offshore gaming deserves either the benefit of the doubt or at least balanced reporting on its status, which was accorded by Real Sports.

In another nice touch, the show avoided the clichéd and bogus reference to offshore gaming's so-called lack of regulation. This is generally raised by zealots in an effort to mislead and scare the public.

Any viewers who harbored preconceived opinions about offshore books being seedy or disreputable were quickly disabused of such notions by the affable demeanor of Billy Scott, and the impressive facilities of WWTS which were prominently on display.

Taped at the offshore book's spacious offices amidst a dazzling array of equipment, nattily attired and polished staffers, and an overall ambiance of professionalism, it was a perfect representation of a modern offshore gaming company.

The show revealed that while Las Vegas has the reputation for setting the opening line, today the first numbers come from major offshore books like WWTS.

Since its inception in Antigua seven years ago, WWTS has been one of the originators of the opening lines. In a ritual very similar to the Stardust Lottery, the show pointed out that the book lets a coterie of wiseguys bet into the "virgin line".

The numbers are tweaked accordingly, then released to the public. This "test drive" lets the books take initial action on numbers that are designed not to predict a margin of victory, said Scott, but to "get action on both sides of a game". But, "there must be a starting point."

Scott noted that the biggest betting activity handled by WWTS is on NFL action. And while some players actually make a living betting on sports, they don't do it on pro football.

A bettor who wins 50 percent of his plays is a loser due to the cost of vig, said Scott.

One of the most respected and revered figures in the offshore industry, Billy was tanned, healthy and relaxed as he fielded questions about sports wagering.

He looked less like the retired businessman that he is and more like the savvy, tireless entrepreneur who orchestrated the stunning success story known as WWTS.

In selecting WWTS and Billy Scott to represent and voice the point of view of offshore gaming, Gumbel and his associates showed that they are indeed credible and relevant chroniclers of today's complex and controversial sports-related issues.

For the record, the show's only reference to the status of offshore gaming was to call it, "an end run around the legal system".

That's an appropriate enough description. Let's face it, punters are tenacious about getting in their action, and we're not the least bit bashful about circumventing a bunch of officious, outdated blue laws.

When the Mirage's Robert Walker was queried about the validity of offshore lines, he said flatly that he respected those numbers. The offshore lines are based on big money, observed Walker, and they are bookmakers, he added.

While the show was interesting, entertaining, and punctuated with colorful anecdotes, much of the material covered was hardly a revelation to experienced sports bettors. Although the glimpse behind the scenes at WWTS is fascinating.

But of course, Real Sports rightfully aims for a much larger audience. From the standpoint of educating casual/recreational players as well as non-bettors, the show does a terrific job of presenting and explaining the fundamentals, mysteries and mystique of sports wagering.

Simultaneously, it depicted in a low-keyed, non-judgmental tone, the extent to which offshore sportsbooks are a legitimate gaming activity and the choice of a vast army of bettors.

To view this edition of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, check your local listing of all the HBO channels. The show will run through Saturday, February 16.

HORSE RACING HEADS UP

You can take the boy out of the track, but you can't take the track out of the boy.

That pretty much sums up horse racing handicapper Mark Marion, who for the first time in years is not posting odds, setting limits and handling all the myriad functions of a racebook director.

After successful stints at racebooks dating back to 1987 at the Frontier, the Orleans and most recently Poker Palace, Mark is still plying his trade, but as an independent handicapping entrepreneur.

As creator of the original horse racing parlay card, called the Marion Card, Mark is providing daily matchups between horses at Aqueduct, Gulfstream and Santa Anita for the Imperial Palace here in Vegas, and two offshore books-Belize-based Carib Sportsbook and ESB in Jamaica.

Created in 1998 when he was at Poker Palace, the Marion Card "is the horse player's answer to sports betting parlay cards," said Mark.

The concept of head-to-head matchups between two horses in a race is simple to understand, and exciting for the player. The horse that finishes in front of its rival is the winner, even if it finishes next to last.

Payoffs are attractive for bettors with 4/4 netting 9 for 1 and successive odds of 18 for 1; 30 for 1; 60 for 1; 100 for 1; 200 for 1, and 500 for 1 for picking 10/10.

He claims it gives books the highest hold on any horse wager.

Of course, it's not a simple matter of putting up two horses, points out Marion. "The matches I create are the toughest head-to-head matchups available anywhere. They'd better be or I'm out of business, with some very unhappy clients," he laughed.

Horses and handicapping are in his blood, and racing is what he lives for, admits Marion. He started playing the horses back east at age 14, even though you had to be 18 to bet.

The affinity for the track runs in his family. "My father was really into horse racing and was a terrific handicapper. I learned from him."

Marion started college, but the lure of the track beckoned. He quit the academic life to work at the track in a succession of jobs including hot walker, groom and assistant trainer. Among the trainers he worked with was successful New Yorker Tom Skiffington.

Marion came to town in 1987, when he decided to take a shot at getting into the racebook industry. "Bob Gregorka gave me my first job at the Frontier back in 1987, when the Summa Corp. owned the casino," remembered Marion.

He's enjoyed an exciting and prosperous career in Las Vegas and now that he's on his own, he's looking to add clients for his horse racing parlay card.

Mark told us that it wasn't ego that caused him to name it the Marion Card. "It needed a name, and I named the card in honor of my father," he said.

He said both Carib and ESB have had a positive experience with his horse racing parlay card. "It attracts good business, has a strong hold, and is really popular with horse bettors," Marion explained.

With the growth of offshore horse racing creating stronger demand for more product, Marion would like to market his parlay card to additional books.

"If an offshore operation is looking to increase horse racing business, that's what the card does. If they are looking for a productive consultant, I'd be happy to have exploratory talks with someone who is really committed to improving and expanding his horse racing menu," said Marion.

He has two websites: www.marioncard.com and www.headtoheadrace.com. He can be reached by email at lvbookie@aol.com.

SUPER BOWL PROMO

We don't know if it is something in the water on Curacao or if it is what they're smoking, but the boys at Aces Gold came up with an intriguing Super Bowl promotion.

If you're a value player, a bargain hunter or just a player, you can bet the Pats or Rams at even money this Friday, February 1, from 9 AM to 7 PM at Aces Gold sportsbook (www.acesgoldcasino.com).

FREE CAPPERS

Recently we added a free capping service to our website (www.buzzdaly.com) that offered a new twist, and it seems to be living up to its promises.

FreePicksByEmail.com offers daily selections from leading handicappers delivered by email each game day. It says a single free pick report is the only email that will be sent out.

They say the service will remain free and promise that subscribers' email addresses will be kept 100 percent confidential.

Since signing up, we noticed that we received some unsolicited emails from one or two handicappers in the service. But we cannot say that FreePicks is responsible, as we are on a number of sites and get a lot of unsolicited tout-oriented emails.

The service is offered on a dozen sports gaming websites, including ours, and we haven't received any complaints. So if you're looking for free picks from some well known touts, FreePicksByEmail.com might be worth looking into.

RADIO SHOW UPDATE

If you've been a listener to the show we have done with Jimmy Vaccaro over the past four years, you know it is no longer being aired. Our station in Las Vegas changed formats two weeks ago and became an all-Hispanic station.

However, the show we do with Kelso Sturgeon, Sports Gaming Report, is now heard on KSHP 1400 Las Vegas from 2 to 3 PM on Fridays. It is also streamed live over www.warpradio.com and can be heard at www.audiovegas.com.

Jimmy will guest on this Friday's show with his Super Bowl analysis and pick.

Also, for those who like free winners, Kelso gives out a college basketball play each week and is on a 4-0 run.

Please send questions, comments, etc., to buzzdaly@aol.com.

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