[clevfan]

U.S. sports bettors try Windsor

Jennifer Youssef / The Detroit News

WINDSOR -- Dozens of sports fans and curious gamblers crowded into Casino Windsor's news sports betting lounge Friday afternoon to wager on their favorite teams.

Legends, the first legal sports betting lounge in the region, officially opened at 4 p.m. Gamblers quickly crowded the bar, snagged cushy chairs in front of television sets and dug into plates piled high with onion rings, mini-hamburgers and chicken wings.

"This is going to be a big hit," said Bill Moncrief, who, along with his wife, Judy, traveled from Sterling Heights to attend opening day. "The casino lost some business when smoking was banned (May 30), but I think this will bring them back."

About 100 people trickled into the multimillion dollar lounge -- part of Casino Windsor's $400 million expansion -- during its first half hour; a full house was expected as the night progressed.

Legends has sparked a lot of interest across the country since the casino announced its opening, said Holly Ward, Casino Windsor's director of communications and community affairs.

"It's offering a new entertainment attraction you can't get in Detroit (casinos)," Ward said.

Casino Windsor is betting the 170-seat sports betting lounge will lure Metro Detroiters, passionate about gambling and sports, back across the river.

The casino has experienced waning revenue since Ontario enacted a smoking ban on May 30. The casino also has been hindered by higher fees to cross the bridge and tunnel, an unusually low exchange rate and the region's struggling economy.

The Detroit casinos can't offer sports wagering. Metro Detroit bettors have had to travel to Las Vegas -- one of the few places in the United States where betting on sports is legal -- or to Niagara Falls, Ont.

Judy Moncrief said Legends was ideal for her husband, who loves to watch pro and college footfall. The couple frequently visits Casino Windsor.

"There's no place locally where you can do this," she said. "At least I know where he'll be."

At Legends, gamblers can bet on professional football, basketball, hockey and baseball games, as well as college football and basketball. Casino Windsor has set a maximum limit of $200 (Canadian per bet, with a $1,000 Canadian) daily limit per category type.

Gamblers can make traditional wagers on which team will cover the point spread and the "over/under," in which gamblers wager that the combined points scored by both teams will be above or below a certain number.

They also can bet on more specific outcomes, such as total number of yards gained in a football game or the number of three-point shots made in a basketball match-up. The casino has its own oddsmakers.

"We think it's really great," said 79-year-old Beverly Aguanno of Mississaugano, Ont., who sat at the bar playing video poker with her husband, Joe, 75. "People need to get off the floor."

Joe Aguanno speculated the sports betting lounge was a good move for the casino.

"Any time you make a change, you never know if it's going to be good or not," said Aguanno, a Toronto Blue Jays and Maple Leafs fan. "I think this is good."