Big Bellagio blunder

Given the dearth of major-league sports in the U.S., Nevada sports books have reluctantly turned to South Korean and Chinese baseball for betting fodder. This led to a novice mistake in the wee hours of June 28, when one could be understandably bleary, a blooper that could cost MGM Resorts International as much as $250K. The Bellagio sports book system took bets on games that had already started, a particularly costly mistake because one savvy gambler scored $137,107.38 with a 10-game (!) parlay. That’s a nice return on a $250 wager. Another, eight-game parlay brought home $11,156.60 on a $100 bet. Las Vegas bookies were taking it in stride—and no wonder. The odds are stacked in their favor. Several told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the winners could get their money in return for agreeing to be permanently 86’d from the casino. The alternative is to grab your ankles and let the house keep the dough.