There aren’t many people in the sports betting industry who are liked and respected as much as ‘Smokin’ Dave Cokin.
That fact was crystal clear Tuesday when Cokin revealed his unfortunate and heartbreaking medical situation in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Cokin said, “Ok the time has come. I went to the doc about one year ago for what was supposed to be maybe a 30 minute biopsy. Turned into about an 8 hour procedure. After speaking with the meds and weighing the options I opted to pass on the chemo and let nature take its course.”
Cokin continued, “The original prognosis was weeks, possibly months. I’m already one year in and feel good. I look like shit but will accept the opinion of many that I looked like shit anyway. Unfortunately after mostly spinning its wheels and accomplishing surprisingly little, the cancer has now taken dead aim (grim but accurate choice of words) at my carotid artery. One doesn’t have to be a med whiz to know what that means. Basically you should not count on getting a Christmas present from me. I’ve got days or weeks, perhaps a couple months left and I’ll be going, going, gone.
“So the big announcement. I’m retiring. I’ll still be capping each day as that’s what I’ve loved to do for most of years and I’ll still post any really strong opinions [at Wager Talk], but there will be days off where I just get one more watch of some great flicks with my friends.
“Sorry about being long winded but it’s my dime. My thanks to my closest friends and especially to those who’ve made repeated trips from Rhode Island just to hang out. My words can’t come close to covering it to Erin who has literally saved my life twice.
“I guess that’s about it. I’ve gotten all my ducks in a row, I made enough to leave $$ to those I feel were most loyal and I just want to do something nice for. Replies are open and I’ll do my best to answer as long as I able to you. Based on what I know my end will be a mostly painless 10–15 minute bleed out. Really hope it’s not in the middle of a good film noir! Thanks so much who’ve followed my occasionally brilliant but mostly mediocre tweets over the years. You’d be surprised how much I’ve appreciated you guys!”
The admiration for Cokin was clear in the hundreds of replies to his multiple posts about his health.
Mitch Moss, the co-host of VSIN’s ‘Follow The Money,’ responded, “A Las Vegas legend. A total original. Dave, I love your sense of humor and you made me laugh more times than I could count. Now this truly saddens me. My best to you, your family and your friends.”
VSIN’s Matt Youmans also chimed in: “Sports handicapping Hall of Famer and great guy.”
From the Westgate SuperBook’s Jeff Sherman: “when you talk about the people in this industry, Dave is truly one of the good ones … a legend in this space but more a better person … he will be sorely missed.”
WagerTalk’s Ted Sevransky said, “Nothing but love and respect Dave. Hard to find words today.”
I don’t remember the exact year when I met Cokin, but it was in the early 2000s. I had been hired at VegasInsider in March of 2000.
Around 2001 or 2002, VI started hosting handicapping seminars in Las Vegas in late August. At one of those seminars, Cokin and I were on the same panel discussing college football. He struck me as a super-nice guy who was extremely knowledgeable about college football.
We would go on to share the stage on many panels at VI seminars for years and more recently, at a seminar hosted by the Westgate SuperBook several years ago.
I had him on as a guest regularly on the VI radio show, ‘The Power Hours,’ that I hosted from 2005-2012. I also did a lot of radio spots with him and Steve Cofield in Las Vegas.
Other prominent figures in the sports betting space offered more kind words like Jay Kornegay of the Westgate SuperBook and Paul Stone of Paul Stone Sports.
Kornegay said, “With all the respect in the world Dave. Always enjoyed your take, your humor and honestly. I know so many that love your work. Thanks for being there and wishing you all the best.”
Stone said, “Few have stood the test of time like Dave Cokin – a true Las Vegas sports betting legend. I’ve only been in Dave’s company a handful of times, but enjoyed each moment. My prayers are with you, Dave, asking that your days be filled w/peace, joy and comfort. Finish strong, friend.”
Despite the dire diagnosis, Cokin sounded upbeat in his tweets yesterday, and that’s exactly what you expect from a great guy like him.
Here’s to hoping Cokin gets a few more months and is able to spend that time comfortably and pain free with his closest friends and family.