Congratulations, Las Vegas Golden Knights. For the second time in a year, Las Vegas has announced itself as a major-league city by bringing home a championship trophy. First it was the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA, now the Knights, who slammed the door last night on the outmatched Florida Panthers, 9-3. (Nothing says “hockey” like Florida against Nevada.) Even better, they did it on the home ice, clinching a 4-1 Stanley Cup triumph—the second time the Knights have been in the cup finals in their six years of existence. No NHL team has won Lord Stanley’s cup so quickly. Now the pressure is on the dysfunctional Las Vegas Raiders to do more than merely appear in a playoff game. They’ll get eight prime-time TV slots next season. Let’s hope they do Sin City proud.
Speaking of Las Vegas, at times it is the nation’s capitol of benighted stupidity. Latest entrant into the clown car to the calaboose is dumbass rapper Blueface, aka Johnathan Jamall Porter. He’s put Palms Casino Resort back on the police blotter after stealing a woman’s cell phone (allegedly) because she had the temerity to take a picture of his girlfriend. What an ass. He got caught because he dimwittedly strolled into the Clark County Regional Justice Center and was nabbed on the outstanding warrant. Seems Mr. Porter had business at the Justice Center on a prior offense—attempted murder and firing a gun into an occupied vehicle. He shot at one Kentabius Traylor last November and grazed his hand. Supposedly. What was Traylor’s offense? Making a joke at Blueface’s expense. Clearly a matter that deserves to be settled by gunplay. Not. Porter also allegedly shot at a truck driver.
So far, Porter is getting off light, having to post a mere $20K in bail. This is in spite of a rap sheet as long as your arm. He’s also being sued by the Euphoric Gentleman’s Club for giving it a bad name. Some people think this kind of publicity is good for Vegas. We think otherwise.
April sports betting receipts for Illinois are in and operators took home $89.5 million (on handle of $899 million) before taxes. FanDuel continues to leave its competitors in the dust, making $41.5 million to DraftKings‘ $25 million. Also finishing respectably were BetRivers ($9 million) and PointsBet ($5.5 million), while also-rans included Caesars Sportsbook ($4 million) and Barstool Sports ($3 million).
If Illinois seems tardy, Arizona is just getting around to reporting the March tally. Feels like ancient history in the sporting world. Handle was $644 million, which boiled down to revenue of $53 million. Four operators dominated the market, with FanDuel again being first ($21.5 million), then DraftKings ($15 million), BetMGM ($9.5 million) and Caesars ($5 million). Barstool scraped together $1.5 million, leaving only chicken feed for WynnBet, BetRivers and everyone else.
Hi David, Just to clarify, Edmonton won the cup in 5 years after joining the NHL. To be fair they were in the WHA before moving to the NHL, but your statement if factually incorrect. Anyway, love your blog. Keep up the good work.