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Columnist Buzz Daly: Sports Books Should Take Fantasy Baseball Bets

We all know that leading a horse to water won't necessarily get him to drink, and the same analogy is equally true for bettors.

We recently caught up with one of Las Vegas' hardest working bookmakers, Marc Nelson, who runs the race and sports book at Fiesta. We asked about a fantasy baseball card that had been offered in previous years at the book.

Bettors selected players at each position, and if they're productive, the card paid off according to a point schedule. Winning required equal amounts of luck and skill, the payoffs were reasonable, and it was fun.

But grading results was very labor intensive, and the amount of play the cards got didn't justify doing it again, Nelson told us. Each day, one of the staff spent 2½ hours to input the stats and administer the contest. There just wasn't enough business, he said.

However, given the sophisticated software found off shore, we believe fantasy cards/contests with weekly payoffs would be both popular and lucrative. In Las Vegas, baseball is a minor sport. But nationwide, and on the Internet, roto betting would pay off handsomely.

We know, from speaking with many off shore BMs, that summer is a time in which they get ready for football and try not to get killed in baseball. Well, guys, here's another item for your betting menu that would attract substantial interest, and the first one out of the box would have a significant advantage.

We realize the shops that book serious action from tough players are not likely to add fantasy cards to their menus. But all those shops who claim they want the casual/recreational bettor to play at their stores, here's a way to provide a unique betting opportunity and draw new business.

More 10-Cent News. Dan Lewis, manager of Sterling Race and Sports Book, reminded us that the Dominican Republic-based shop would again deal a 10-cent line to baseball bettors this summer.

Lewis is well versed in all the variations of sports wagering and has offered to answer any questions from Sports Book Scene readers. He can be reached at 1 800 630-3322.

Millionaire Coverage. You know off shore sports betting is becoming a big deal when the mainstream press decides to cover it. In the May issue of Millionaire magazine, there will be a history of how the off shore industry originated, developed and prospered.

We wrote the piece and, due to space limitations, it's not as comprehensive as we would have liked it to be. But given the editorial parameters - 1200 words - it is enlightening.

The magazine should be on newsstands within a few weeks.

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