The UNLV Center for Gaming Research states that since 2000, basketball has been the second-most favored sport to bet on in Nevada. It ranks between football and baseball, with both college and professional basketball games being popular among bettors.
Betting on basketball and football is quite alike as both are based on point spread wagers. Placing bets on college basketball is simple, as all teams are open for betting. However, wagering on the NBA might be slightly more complex. Not all teams are available for betting in every casino. At times, bettors may need to visit a specific casino to place a bet on a particular game.
Houston Rockets and Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta bought the Houston Rockets in 2017. After the transaction was completed and he became the owner of both entities, the Rockets were removed from the Golden Nugget sports book in Las Vegas and Laughlin.
Golden Nugget continues to accept bets on all teams except when they are competing against the Houston Rockets. You’ll also observe that the Rockets are not included in futures or full game betting if you visit the sports book.
Indeed, the jargon used for championship odds varies between professional basketball and all other professional sports. While other sports teams have their odds for winning a championship listed as “To Win (sport) Championship,” the Golden Nugget denotes NBA futures as “Best Finish In NBA.” This is due to the possibility of teams like the Houston Rockets clinching the championship.
Boston Celtics and Caesars Entertainment
The restriction on betting on NBA teams at specific Nevada teams is not a recent development. Since 1998, Gary Loveman has held executive positions or served on the Board of Directors at Caesars Entertainment, formerly known as Harrah’s Entertainment. In addition, Loveman became a co-owner of the Boston Celtics in 2006.
After finalizing the deal for the Boston Celtics, the company known at the time as Harrah’s Entertainment was obliged to remove the Celtics from their Nevada sports books. This rule remains in effect today, as Loveman continues to serve on the Board of Directors for Caesars Entertainment. Consequently, betting on the Celtics is not possible at the following casinos:
- Bally’s
- Palace of Caesar
- Cromwell
- Flamingo
- Las Vegas Harrah’s
- Lake Tahoe’s Harrah’s
- Laughlin’s Harrah’s
- Reno’s Harrah’s
- Lake Tahoe’s Harvey
- The Linq Hotel
- Paris
- Hollywood Planet
- Rio
Potential future pro sports wagering conflicts
Recently, the relocation of the San Antonio Stars to Las Vegas was approved by the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors. The team was acquired by MGM Resorts International and will play their home games at Mandalay Bay. Despite the WNBA not being a top choice for recreational bettors, causing sports book operators to overlook the games, the league has a strong following among professionals who seek to take advantage of weak lines.
The presence of a team could have a dual impact on sports bettors. Sports book operators may scrutinize the league more closely due to the existence of a local team, potentially leading to tighter lines. This could negatively affect those who bet on WNBA games. More crucially, it wouldn’t be a shock if MGM Resorts International decided not to accept bets related to the team they completely possess.
The Maloof family, who formerly owned the Palms Casino and Resort as well as the Sacramento Kings, did not allow betting on the NBA team at their casino during their ownership. They have since sold both entities but now hold a minor share in the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team. If the Maloofs decide to buy a full or partial stake in a casino company, the league may require them to relinquish their ownership in the team. If they retain ownership, the casino may not be permitted to accept bets on the Knights.
Image sourced from Shutterstock.com, taken by Roman Tiraspolsky.
