[clevfan]

Mar. 17, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Basketball bettors pack sports books for March Madness

NCAA observer watches action at Mirage

By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
All the best seats were taken when the NCAA Tournament games tipped off Thursday morning, but MGM Mirage sports book director Robert Walker reserved one next to him for a special guest.

The NCAA sent an observer to Las Vegas for the weekend to help improve communications with sports book operators. The observer spent the morning sitting next to Walker in his Mirage office.

''We showed them our operations. It was very cordial," Walker said. "It's great to have the opportunity to talk to them.

"I feel like it was definitely a good first meeting. I think we can establish a relationship with them and move forward."

Normally at this time of year, the NCAA attempts to agitate Las Vegas by leading a rally against wagering on college sports. Walker said the NCAA observer was "very positive and receptive."

Basketball bettors packed the Mirage and almost every other book on the Strip.

"I asked a couple people when they got here to get the prime seats, and they said 5:30 a.m.," Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said.

The day started with an encouraging win for the betting public as Boston College, an 8-point favorite, beat Pacific 88-76 in double overtime.

"It's a gut-wrenching loss for us and a great win for the public," Walker said. "That's why they call it gambling. What can you do?"

Tennessee, a No. 2 seed, barely escaped an upset bid by Winthrop, but three favorites were knocked off.

UNR was upended by Montana, making the Wolf Pack the highest seed (No. 5) to lose. Oklahoma, a No. 6, was upset by Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Marquette, a No. 7, was rolled by Alabama.

"Everybody wants to see David beat Goliath," Caesars Palace sports book director Chuck Esposito said.

The day featured several dramatic point-spread decisions: George Washington (-2 1/2) edged North Carolina-Wilmington by three in overtime, Gonzaga (-5) allowed an uncontested last-second layup in a 4-point victory over Xavier and Indiana (-2) came back in the final minute to beat San Diego State by four.

The favorites finished 10-6 against the spread, though some closing numbers differed.

"It has been busy, and people are very excited. The enthusiasm is contagious," Walker said. "Even the most jaded individual would have to say, 'Wow, this is a lot of fun.' "

Over the next three weeks, an estimated $85 million will be wagered in Nevada on the NCAA Tournament.

Walker said he showed the NCAA observer how Las Vegas Sports Consultants sends its lines and explained the enormous business done by offshore books.

"The bottom line is gambling is here to stay, whether we go away or not. I think they realize that part," Walker said.