100% Sign Up Sportsbook Bonus
WAGERWEB BONUS CODE: AF4517
It would be easy to name legendary mobsters like Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel and Tony Spilotro among the city's bad boys. However, I never met any underworld figures from the days when the Mafia controlled the city. Sure, I've heard stories about Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal running the Stardust and Syd Wyman controlling the Dunes, but I never had a chance to interact with any of these infamous characters.
My introduction to Las Vegas came in 1985. During my senior year at Northwestern University, I took advantage of a low-priced airfare advertised in the Chicago Tribune and went on a three-day trip to "The Gambling Capitol of the World." In the mid-1980s, the leaders of Las Vegas, led by the Convention and Visitors Authority, were bent on transforming the city's image from a mob-controlled Sin City to a resort destination featuring first-class hotels and five-star restaurants.
While the plan worked and the popularity of Las Vegas skyrocketed, the high crime rates remained. The dangers of Las Vegas extended beyond the reach of the traditional Mafia.
While the plan worked and the popularity of Las Vegas skyrocketed, the high crime rates remained. The dangers of Las Vegas extended beyond the reach of the traditional Mafia.
Organized crime of a different sort came to Las Vegas in the summer of 2001 when a few of the 9-11 terrorists planned their devious attacks, while staying at the sleazy Econo Lodge on Las Vegas Boulevard. Published reports indicate the terrorists also made several visits to Olympic Garden, a gentleman's club located on the north end of the Strip. The presence of terrorists in Las Vegas confirmed this city's status as a dangerous town loaded with desperate people.Thankfully, I never crossed paths with any of the 9-11 terrorists, but I have met my share of shady characters. I've run across literally thousands of gamblers over the past quarter-century, spending countless hours speaking with those who share my love of sports and sports betting.
Through the years, I've learned gamblers merely represent a cross-section of this country's population. The vast majority of gamblers are honest, hard-working people. Despite the negative image of gamblers in popular American culture, most surveys indicate the average gambler to be better educated and more affluent than the average American adult.
Through the years, I've learned gamblers merely represent a cross-section of this country's population. The vast majority of gamblers are honest, hard-working people. Despite the negative image of gamblers in popular American culture, most surveys indicate the average gambler to be better educated and more affluent than the average American adult.
Like most subcultures, however, gambling has its dark side. Listed below, with apologies to Jeff Haney, is my list of "Five Not-So-Neat Guys" in Las
Vegas. The only qualification to appear on my list is a face-to-face meeting with yours truly in the confines of a Nevada race and sports book. Here we go:
Vegas. The only qualification to appear on my list is a face-to-face meeting with yours truly in the confines of a Nevada race and sports book. Here we go:
GARY AUSTIN......The bettor-turned-bookmaker once operated Gary Austin's Race and Sports Book on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sands Avenue. The stand-alone operation offered high limits in every sport. The management there rarely rejected any wagers.
Sports Illustrated featured Austin in a flattering article on February 25,
1980. By 1985, Austin was on the run, escaping from the millions of dollars he owed gamblers and creditors. Reports say Austin fabricated a story about a robbery at his establishment to avoid paying winning bettors. He closed his doors after the alleged robbery and never reopened.
Austin's name is synonymous with outstanding debts. He's best known in the sports betting community as a "stiff."
Sports Illustrated featured Austin in a flattering article on February 25,
1980. By 1985, Austin was on the run, escaping from the millions of dollars he owed gamblers and creditors. Reports say Austin fabricated a story about a robbery at his establishment to avoid paying winning bettors. He closed his doors after the alleged robbery and never reopened.
Austin's name is synonymous with outstanding debts. He's best known in the sports betting community as a "stiff."
I did not get beat by Gary Austin, but my friend, poker player Brent Carter, carries in his wallet an uncashed winning ticket from Gary Austin's Race and Sports Book worth $6300.
Gary Austin, I wonder in which central american country are you?
Gary Austin, I wonder in which central american country are you?
BILL BRENNAN.....I met Bill Brennan in the late 1980s. He was an employee at the now-demolished Stardust Hotel and Casino. Brennan enjoyed talking sports with serious bettors.
It was a Monday night in September of 1992 when Brennan decided to pull a daring move. As a sports book cashier at the Stardust, Brennan plotted to leave the property with a backpack full of cash. Claiming he was headed to a nearby McDonald's for a quick break, Brennan walked out of the Stardust with nearly $500,000 worth of cash and casino chips.
Brennan's plan worked to perfection. It's been nearly two decades since he robbed the Stardust. The case remains unsolved.
Bill Brennan, where are you?
BRUCE EVANS.....I played tennis with Bruce Evans. He was a great guy, a funny guy and a hardcore gambler.
In the early 1990s, Evans served as a racebook supervisor at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. He also moonlighted as a "runner," or betting agent, for the big-money syndicate of Billy Walters.
Evans was responsible for nearly a quarter-million dollars of Walters' money in a safe-deposit box at The Mirage. Unfortunately, Evans not only placed wagers ordered by Walters, but he also made bets on his personal selections involving pro and college football games.
Bad move.
After a terrible streak of losers, Evans was desperate to recoup more than $100,000 in losses, so he went double-or-nothing on Super Bowl XXX. The game featured Dallas and Pittsburgh. The Cowboys were favored by 13 points. Evans laid the double-digit spot. Dallas won 27-17, failing to cover the pointspread.
Evans left the city, never to be heard from again.
Bruce Evans, where are you?
Postscript: Shortly after Evans' disappearance, word spread quickly throughout the sports betting fraternity that Billy Walters was the victim of a robbery. The buzz on the street detailed Evans' derelict behavior. Rumor spread about a reward being offered for any information leading to the capture and conviction of Evans. Here's the way I remember the reward offering: $25,000, if you bring back Bruce Evans to Las Vegas or $50,000, if you bring back a DEAD Bruce Evans.
CHARLES McCOY.....I had a brief, but memorable exchange with Charles McCoy during March Madness 2004. McCoy was a 28-year-old individual who was responsible for a series of two dozen sniper attacks over a ten-month period in 2003. The shooting spree left one dead and terrorized the Columbus region in Ohio for nearly a year.
I spoke with McCoy during a random meeting at the Stardust Race and Sports Book. I spotted him near the back of the book where the betting sheets for the horse races were displayed. Our discussion went something like this:
I spoke with McCoy during a random meeting at the Stardust Race and Sports Book. I spotted him near the back of the book where the betting sheets for the horse races were displayed. Our discussion went something like this:
"My name's John, what's your name?"
"I'm Mike."
"Are you a sports bettor or a horseplayer?"
"Both."
"Are you staying here at the Stardust?"
"No."
"I'm Mike."
"Are you a sports bettor or a horseplayer?"
"Both."
"Are you staying here at the Stardust?"
"No."
It turned out McCoy was staying at the Budget Suites, a low-rent motel located adjacent to the Stardust. He spent only a few days in Las Vegas before being captured by FBI agents who were working on a tip from an alert Stardust customer.
Unbeknown to me, I was talking to the man later identified as "The Ohio Sniper." McCoy is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for the senseless murder of 62-year-old Gail Knisley.
Unbeknown to me, I was talking to the man later identified as "The Ohio Sniper." McCoy is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for the senseless murder of 62-year-old Gail Knisley.
GRANT BEAUCAGE.....He wasn't a friend of mine, but I'll call him an acquaintance. I knew him as "Terry," a likable sort who enjoyed gambling and drinking. It seemed he was always rooting home a six or seven-team parlay. I'd often see "Terry" at the Stardust with a drink in each hand. There was a reason "Terry" was drinking.
His real name was Grant Beaucage. He was a Canadian fugitive on the run in Las Vegas after being accused of stabbing his ex-wife 32 times in a shopping center parking lot. Before his trial for murder, Beaucage somehow escaped
Canadian authorities and headed to Las Vegas where he managed to avoid capture for nearly three years.
Beaucage's freedom ended when Reader's Digest published a feature story titled, "World's Most Wanted." A casino employee alerted authorities after recognizing Beaucage's picture from the published article. Beaucage was captured shortly thereafter playing a slot machine at the Stardust.
He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.
His real name was Grant Beaucage. He was a Canadian fugitive on the run in Las Vegas after being accused of stabbing his ex-wife 32 times in a shopping center parking lot. Before his trial for murder, Beaucage somehow escaped
Canadian authorities and headed to Las Vegas where he managed to avoid capture for nearly three years.
Beaucage's freedom ended when Reader's Digest published a feature story titled, "World's Most Wanted." A casino employee alerted authorities after recognizing Beaucage's picture from the published article. Beaucage was captured shortly thereafter playing a slot machine at the Stardust.
He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.
Sportsbook 100% Bonus CODE: AF4517 @ Wagerweb.com
Gary Austin is in Costa Rica, running a multi million dollar gambling operation, two kids, married and divorced a stripper...beleived to not have been able to travel to us.
ReplyDelete