STATESIDESTATESIDE
Sharon Harris looks at the ups and downs of sports betting – and the way forward for the industry
H
Wynn called Las Vegas a “target rich” environment in November 2015 and recruited top law enforcement and military
consultants to formulate a security plan
APPY NEW YEAR. After two horrendous years, let’s hope that 2022 finally brings better long-term global health solutions. While 2020 restricted attendance at
t was unimaginable that on the very week our global gaming industry converged on Las Vegas for G2E, the unthinkable could happen. As many had already arrived, or were arriving, a madman shattered the Las Vegas allure on October 1.
While 22,000 were enjoying an outdoor concert many sporting events, most returned in
2021. Every weekend since September, millions of screaming fans filled stadiums and arenas nationwide for college or American professional football. Some were indoors, but most were not. Professional baseball, hockey and basketball
typically have smaller in-person audiences and television viewership because their seasons include so many more games. Baseball schedules 162 games;
at the chic Mandalay Bay, shots peppered the crowd from the 32nd floor. Within minutes, dozens lay dead and hundreds were wounded, some with lifetime injuries.
With tens of thousands of G2E attendees in town, a
large group probably stayed at the Mandalay Bay. How does one react or prepare for this type of nightmare?
Over time, we have learned this mass shooter, who
killed himself rather than be caught, methodically planned every detail of the carnage. A rich, heavy gambler, he did not fit any “standard“ profile.
Ironically, my
Casino International article in September‘s G2E issue specifically focused on casino crimes. Ex-FBI agent Tom Raftery, one quoted source, warned that many within the gaming industry have not adequately addressed possible onsite terrorism.
Tragically, the
Mandalay Bay learned otherwise and has now hired a
Image: Fannyes/Adobe Stock 8 OCTOBER 2017
Stateside I Stateside
Sharon Harris asks what can be learned from recent events in Las Vegas
New York crisis management public relations firm. The lawsuits against them are just beginning to determine possible negligence by security personnel.
hockey is 82 games and the basketball season is at least six months. The regular football season increased this year to
It is long overdue for casinos to incorporate
18 weeks of games. Despite the diverse weather across America, fans supported their teams, even if it meant sitting in freezing temperatures in places like Green Bay, Wisconsin or Buffalo, New York. Sports betting carried the day in 2021, setting
revenue records in the billions. Final annual numbers should be released soon. I am fine with responsible people betting responsibly. My problem is when mediocre officiating potentially skews the game’s results.
terrorism preparedness into employee training. This killer brought guns into his hotel suite and installed cameras that monitored his room and the hallway. He then used heavy-duty hammers to smash the windows and take aim. Not that guests’ luggage or drawers be searched, but dozens of weapons take up a lot of space.
Many question the relative ease in getting such an
arsenal to his suite. Conditions will certainly change since the bar altering our very behavior keeps shifting. So far, gaming has pretty much escaped these events, which is amazing considering these 24- hour businesses have dozens of open doors and entry points that never close.
8 JANUARY 2022
Seth/Adobe Stock
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