Pucks won’t bring home same bucks if NBA season is lost

Tim Graham

Monday, Nov. 2, 1998 | 10:14 a.m.

The pucks probably won't pick up at the betting windows, even though the basketball bucks apparently won't be rolling in for some time.

Sports book directors have not seen an increase in NHL wagering and don't intend to, regardless of how long the NBA lockout lasts.

They claim hockey is too different to draw significant action from regular basketball bettors.

"I don't think (the lockout will) affect hockey at all," Stardust sports book manager Joe Lupo said.

"The NHL is so specific with (bettors), with a following from a more back East clientele. It's tough to transform the sport.

"It's bet differently, with a money line. It's unlike basketball and football, which are bet with point spreads. Novice players aren't so sure (betting a money line) as they are with a point spread."

At the Imperial Palace, however, hockey action has picked up, according to assistant sports book manager Kelly Downey.

But the IP is different from other casinos in that it actively promotes hockey.

Not only is it the only place to wager on the Las Vegas Thunder, but it also offers a special night for pucks. "Hockey Wednesday" includes special propositional bets posted for every game, chaser bets in which each period can be wagered upon and prize drawings.

"During the week, hockey's the game," Downey said. "Hockey's the main feature."

The NBA season was supposed to start Tuesday. But basketball bettors won't be forced to wait too long for their hoops fix. They will have college games to wager on in less than two weeks.

"College basketball has gained momentum year after year," Lupo said. "That, combined with the black eyes the NBA has received from Latrell Sprewell, players getting arrested, the Michael Jordan uncertainty ... a lot of the betting will cross over to college basketball."