As in The D and its owner Derek Stevens, who is refunding bets made on the Green Bay Packers last Monday, when victory was literally stripped from their hands by nincompoop NFL scab referees. They’ve been likened to Foot Locker salesmen but I honestly think Foot Locker floor people could do a better job. As though his rescue of the former Fitzgeralds and reinvention of the Golden Gate weren’t enough, this alone makes Stevens the prohibitive favorite for casino owner of the year. He was “disgusted” by this week’s pigskin fiasco and, seeing things from a bettor’s point of view, rescinded the wagers. In doing so, he not only overrode the NFL but D sports book operator William Hill. Bravo! This man has brass balls.
Predictably, Stevens’ maverick move brought a howl of outrage from Las Vegas Hotel & Casino‘s Jay Kornegay, its race-and-sportsbook director. 
Mind you, Kornegay’s taking wagers at a property that’s so deep in the crapper its Wall Street paymasters can’t afford to refund one thin dime. Besides, he’s an industry hack, a relic from the Ralph Engelstad era at Imperial Palace, the place that once didn’t have bathtubs because people might spend less time gambling if they could wallow in a tub. He’s of the old-school, “You don’t like it? Tough shit” mentality. Stevens is giving his customers what they want. At whose hotel would you rather stay and play?
David, do you think this is of any substance or a publicity gimmick? I live downtown, am in The D every couple of weeks and was surprised there was a sportsbook. BTW the pub move is working; many of my friends from Boston have asked me about it….
If it’s a gimmick, it’s a damned effective one. Stevens looks “george” and the Las Vegas Hotel takes one more step toward grind-joint status … and it’s pretty far down that path already. As for drawing attention to the existence of sports betting at The D, a total win for Stevens.