Joe Asher was supposed to be a relatively anonymous attorney, making a respectable if unfulfilling living. Joe Brennan Jr.s destiny seemed to be in some sort of marketing job, working as what he calls a media drone. Yolanda Acua planned to focus on being a wife and stay-at-home mother.
And Johnny Avello? Small-time gambler in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., loomed as his fate.
Instead, the foursome was inducted into the Sports Betting Hall of Fame in a gala held at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday night as part of the Meadowlands SBC North America Summit. And on Thursday, the honorees formed a panel session in Secaucus to discuss how it all came to be.
Acua had an uncle who worked at Club Cal Neva in Reno, Nev., and she and her then-husband took his advice on moving there. But her plans to stay home didnt last long.
That first month, the power bill was $300 almost as much as our rent, Acua quipped to the Meadowlands Expo Center audience.
So Acua decided to look into casino jobs, and her uncle recommended the sportsbook at his club.
Acua immediately fell in love with the chance to interact with so many characters and job opportunities followed at the Las Vegas Hilton SuperBook and at The Mirage, as a seemingly temporary job turned into a long and fulfilling career.
By the age of 9, Asher told the audience, he was shooting dice in a butcher room and the Delaware native made his first trip to Atlantic City at age 14.
With a father who was so passionate about gambling, it all seemed like second nature to Asher. But after he flunked out of college before making good on a second chance, he attained a law degree and landed a job with a major firm.
The job was OK, but I didnt really have a passion for it, Asher said.
So Asher rolled the dice and moved to Las Vegas 15 years ago. He believed there was room in town for another independent race and sportsbook operation that could manage those facilities for casinos. Thus, Brandywine Bookmaking named after a now-defunct racetrack in Delaware was born, with longtime Vegas oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro coming aboard after he had given Asher some key advice on succeeding in Sin City.
As fate would have it, the famed United Kingdom-based William Hill bookmaking entity had begun looking to make a big splash in the U.S. market right around that time. By 2011, William Hill bought Ashers company for more than $15 million. Asher then served as CEO for William Hills U.S. branch until Caesars acquired the company in 2021 for $4 billion.
Brennan (no relation to the author) recalls seeing those weekly white tickets for parlay bets at his Catholic grammar school when he was just six years old.
Two decades ago, he landed a job with a fledgling company called America Online (better known later as AOL). There was a growing sense that whatever business could exist in brick-and-mortar fashion also should be able to take place online. But sports betting, of course, was illegal in almost all forms outside of Nevada thanks to Congress passage of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA).
By 2008, New Jersey lawmakers particularly state Sen. Ray Lesniak were scrambling to find new revenue streams for Atlantic City casinos that had been torpedoed by the opening of rival casinos in Pennsylvania and New York two years earlier. Brennan joined the crusade, although he and Lesniak failed in federal court due to a lack of standing to protest the federal sports betting law. Then Gov. Chris Christie took office in 2010, and he ultimately supported the push to overturn PASPA and New Jerseys pioneering legalization of online casino gambling in 2013.
The first 25 years of Avellos life came with that Poughkeepsie upbringing and with a liberal arts degree achieved in spite of partying my brains out, he said Thursday.
After an effort to land a job in Atlantic Citys fledgling casino industry after Resorts opened there in 1978, Avello said he decided to drive his 1963 Skylark with no AC to Las Vegas and chase his dreams there. But dealing dice on the casino floor was too boring, Avello said, so he got a ticket-writing job at a sportsbook. After decades in bookmaking, including a 15-year stint at Ballys, Avello said that he considered retirement a few years ago.
Then DraftKings executive Matt Kalish came knocking, and by the third meeting, he had convinced me to come aboard.
So Avello who like Brennan and Asher, became enthralled with gambling well before the legal age to do so is now partnered with a daily fantasy sports giant that didnt even exist a decade ago.
As for suggestions on how to become successful in the gaming industry, Acua said, You need to know customer service. Be a people person.
Said Asher: Do what you want to do not what other people think you should be doing.
Asher, now president of sports betting for IGT, added that after his first year of law school, he applied to every firm in Delaware with at least five attorneys on staff.
I got a big stack of rejection letters, but one of them said to come in for an interview, Asher recalled. I kept all those rejection letters for years and years. Some people expect to get ahead right away, but you have to be ready to put in the miles.
Avello told the audience that he is always in hire mode.
How so? Avello said that many years ago, he found that an employee at a Radio Shack retail store impressed him with great service leading Avello to offer a job right on the spot.
And I have gotten quite a few great people that way, he added.
Brennan said not to overthink whether you do, or dont, already have all the experience you need.
Just go, he said. Find out who the smart people are, and fake it til you make it. And there is one absolute truth: You can change your path in life at any given moment. I look back now and say, Holy smokes what did I do?'
The 2019 inaugural Sports Betting Hall of Fame class featured Christie, Monmouth Park operator Dennis Drazin, and bookmaking legend Art Manteris. Lesniak followed in 2020, along with bookmakers Vic Salerno and Jay Rood and former American Gaming Association executive and current industry consultant Sara Slane.
Read the original post:
Newest SBC Hall Of Famers Each Took Long And Winding Roads - US Bets
- Iowa-based athletes in betting inquiry sue, say rights violated - ESPN - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Roger Goodell tries to reconcile the NFL's embrace of sports betting - NBC Sports - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Shedeur Sanders is the betting favorite to go first overall in the 2024 NFL draft - Yahoo Sports - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- In its second full year, mobile sports betting in Arkansas is set to make over $500 million dollars | Arkansas Democrat ... - Arkansas Online - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Rhode Island sports betting revenue dips in March despite handle increase - iGaming Business - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Nevada Sports Betting Handle Fails To Hit $800 Million For March - Sports Handle - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- ESPN BET Vermont Promo Code For April 29th, 2024: Everything You Need to Know - Bookies.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Minnesota senator's arrest could upend sports betting, other bills - iGaming Business - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- An Under In A Braves Game? It Could Happen Tonight - Outkick - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- BetMGM Bonus Code BOOKIES: Get Up To $1,500 In Bonuses On April 28th, 2024 - Bookies.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Odds, Picks, Props & Injury Reports for Game 4 - Sports Betting Dime - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Thanks to NCAA Tournament, Delaware sees uptick in sports betting numbers in March - Delaware First Media - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- The impacts of banning bonuses on the sports betting and online gaming market in Brazil - Games Magazine Brasil - GAMES MAGAZINE BRASIL - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Elon faculty featured in FOX8 report on legalized sports betting in N.C. - Today at Elon - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- NASCAR Dover 2024 Weekend Betting Recap I NASCAR Gambling Podcast (Ep. 401) - SGPN - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- MLB Betting and DFS Podcast: The Solo Shot, Monday 4/29/24 - FanDuel Research - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Iowa athletes file federal lawsuit against DCI over sports betting probe - The Gazette - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina Promo: Bet And Get $1K In Bonuses For April 29th, 2024 - Bookies.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- The Coyotes Are Now Inactive. Their Sports Betting License Is Not - Sportico - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- DraftKings $200 Promo Code: Bet $5, Get $200 In Bonuses On April 29th, 2024 - Bookies.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- SeguroBet sees sports betting and iGaming strengthened after participation in BiS SiGMA Americas - Games Magazine ... - GAMES MAGAZINE BRASIL - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Iowa College Athletes Going to Federal Courts Over Sports Betting Violations - OddsShopper.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- What are the Main Differences Between Esports and Traditional Sports Betting? - Esports News UK - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Iowa athletes file federal lawsuit against DCI after sports betting investigation - UI The Daily Iowan - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Game 4 Predictions, Player Props & Odds (April 28) - Sports Betting Dime - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting CPI hears from Brazilian Footbal Confederation representatives this Monday - Games Magazine Brasil - GAMES MAGAZINE BRASIL - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- NBA Betting Promos For Heat vs. Celtics, Game 4 - Winners and Whiners - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Betway Sportsbook Promo Code: Grab A First Bet Reset Of Up To $250 For NBA On April 29th 2024 - Bookies.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Kentucky Derby Projected to Receive More Attention in 2024 - Covers - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- 38 states rake in millions in sports betting while Oklahoma still waits for legalization - KOKI FOX 23 TULSA - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports Betting Scandals Are Piling Up. What It Means for Gambling Stocks. - Barron's - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting: How gambling can impact the integrity of the game - WRAL News - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- A new coalition wants to address the risks of youth sports betting in Massachusetts - Boston Herald - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- A Better East Texas: Professional sports betting scandals - KLTV - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting won't be legal in Georgia after lawmakers couldn't agree on how to spend taxes - goskagit.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting bill will help MN veterans, charities - ECM Publishers - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting won't be legal in Georgia after lawmakers couldn't agree on how to spend taxes - Bowling Green Daily News - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- NCAA set to push states with legalized sports betting to ban prop bets for all college sporting events - Yahoo Sports - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting addiction on the rise - Toledo - WTVG - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Pritzker eyes bigger piece of Illinois sports betting action after 4 booming years - WVIK - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- All Eyes on Georgia Sports Betting During Final Legislative Day - Sports Betting Dime - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Best North Carolina sports betting promos for UNC vs. Alabama in Sweet 16: Claim thousands in NC sportsbook ... - Sporting News - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- South Carolina Sports Betting 2024: Best SC Sportsbooks - The Hudson Reporter - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- A Better East Texas: Professional sports betting scandals - KTRE - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting hits ground running | wltx.com - WLTX.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- North Carolina reports nearly $200m in handle in first week of legalized sports gambling - EGR Global - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- I got over 100 messages telling me I suck: UNC basketball star concerned with hate messages after sports betting takes off - WGHP FOX8 Greensboro - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Fanatics replaces PointsBet in Kansas - Sports betting - iGB - iGaming Business - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting addiction on the rise - Wichita - KWCH - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- 'March Madness' Sports Betting Is Big Business - Investopedia - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Get $250 in bonus bets for UNC vs. Alabama with this NC sports betting bonus before tonight's 9:39 p.m. ET tip-off - syracuse.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- IGA executive director confident of California sports betting with tribal help - iGaming Business - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Georgia Sports Betting Legislation Fails Once Again - Winners and Whiners - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting won't be legal in Georgia after lawmakers couldn't agree on how to spend taxes - The Caledonian-Record - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports Betting Scandals: Ohtani Fallout and NCAA Prop Betting Ban - SportsGrid - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports gambling has gotten out of control - The Philadelphia Inquirer - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Best Sports Betting Apps in the US in March 2024 - Gaming Today - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Survey finds majority of Canadians want immediate nationwide sports betting ad ban - EGR Global - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Authorizing sports betting in Georgia may lack needed votes from lawmakers - goskagit.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports Betting is coming to NC in one month - WWAY NewsChannel 3 - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- $3.5 million wagered across Maine in first Super Bowl since launch of online sports betting - Maine Public - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Sports Betting Bill Clears Another Missouri House Committee - Covers - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- I-TEAM: Sports Betting/Online Gambling Addictions growing on CT college campuses - Eyewitness News 3 - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Ohio gamblers place more than $7.6B in bets in first year - Dayton Daily News - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Sports betting in Minnesota: What are the odds it becomes legal? - KARE11.com - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- North Carolina Issues First Batch of Sports Betting Licenses to Suppliers - Covers - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Kentucky cover the spread vs. Ole Miss? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WYMT - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- NFL Playoffs Fuel Record-Breaking Contributions From Maryland's Sports Betting - Bay Net - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Louisville cover the spread vs. Boston College? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WYMT - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- BetMGM and X Sign Exclusive Sports Betting Partnership - PR Newswire - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Gambling disorders on the rise nationwide after legalization of sports betting - Q2 News - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Why US sports betting could become a $45 billion business - Goldman Sachs - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Colorado State cover the spread vs. San Diego State? Betting Trends, Record ATS - Wyoming News Now - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Michigan cover the spread vs. Illinois? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WLUC - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Are the Suns favored vs. the Kings on February 13? Game odds, spread, over/under - WYMT - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- With three months in the books, Maine sports betting readies for Super Bowl - Press Herald - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Sports betting is coming to X as Musk's site partners with BetMGM - Washington Times - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Hard Rock Bet Promo Code: Sign Up And Claim $100 In Bonuses - RotoWire - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will North Carolina cover the spread vs. Syracuse? Betting Trends, Record ATS - KNOP - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- State Rep. Blackshear: 'Nave' to think sports betting isn't already taking place in Alabama - Yellowhammer News - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]