Columnist Jeff Haney: Del Genio on NCAA betting ban: Bring it on!

Wednesday, March 8, 2000 | 9:35 a.m.

Jeff Haney's sports betting column appears Wednesday. Reach him at 259-4041 or haney@vegas.com

The NCAA has an unlikely ally in its move to outlaw betting on college sports: Lenny Del Genio, the highly respected veteran oddsmaker and former sports book director at Bally's.

Del Genio admits his opinion is a biased one. After all, he now serves as international director of race and sports for RSI de Mexico, which sets lines and takes wagers in a number of cities south of the border.

Like nearly every sports book operator outside the United States -- not to mention plenty of underground bookies in this country -- Del Genio views the NCAA's effort with a mix of bemusement and elation.

"From a personal perspective, I think it's crazy," Del Genio said. "But from a business perspective, I think it's wonderful. It would give the offshore books a virtual monopoly on college sports betting."

And it would be a lucrative monopoly. Las Vegas Sports Consultants estimates that 30 to 40 percent of the $2.3 billion legally bet on sports in Nevada in fiscal 1999 was on college games.

A good portion of that action is generated by the NCAA basketball tournament each March. This year's version begins next week.

So if Congress does approve an NCAA-backed bill proposing to ban betting on college sports in Nevada books, it would be a boon for offshore (and underground) operators.

Doublespeak

"I don't think they'll actually go that far," Del Genio said. "But if they do, well, I guess I'll just have to accept the fact that Uncle Sam has given us a monopoly.

"It would make for a very favorable situation for sports books throughout the world, from Mexico and the Caribbean to England and Australia."

Although support for the legislation appears to be flagging, it's not dead yet. As recently as last month, an anti-betting bill was introduced in the Senate with Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., its primary backers.

And Del Genio, a Harlem native with a reputation as a straight shooter, must really get a kick out of the Orwellian title attached to the House's version of the bill. H.R. 3575 is called the "Student Athlete Protection Act."

Then again, it was an aversion to what he saw as increased restrictions on sports books that prompted Del Genio's departure from Las Vegas a couple of years ago.

'Golden age' tarnished

Arriving here from New York in February 1967, Del Genio got his start writing keno tickets and dealing 21.

He worked his way up through the business, ultimately emerging as a major figure in Las Vegas just as sports betting was enjoying its greatest period of expansion.

But by the late '90s, Del Genio sensed the "golden age," as he calls it, was over. Independent sports books were disappearing, and a lot of action was moving offshore.

He saw the writing on the tote board.

"The race and sports book industry in Nevada has taken a downturn the past couple of years," said Del Genio, 56. "I thought it would be too frustrating for me (to have to deal) with the constraints of a major corporation. ... I like the flexibility of being able to express my opinion more freely."

Upon leaving Las Vegas, Del Genio worked as a developer of Native American casinos in the Northwest before joining RSI de Mexico a year ago.

He describes RSI de Mexico as a combination of the Leroy's sports book chain, which takes bets at locations throughout Nevada, and Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which provides odds to sports books worldwide.

RSI has home bases in Acapulco and Nuevo Laredo, and betting sites throughout Mexico.

"I never thought I would be down here," Del Genio said. "But when I had back surgery a couple of years ago, it gave me a different perspective. I knew I had to make some choices, both business-wise and in quality of life."

The real 'Insider'

This month, Del Genio finds himself back in the spotlight, just as he does each year around this time. For almost 20 years, Del Genio has been one of the best-known handicappers of the Academy Awards.

In a new twist, this time around you can actually bet into his line.

"In the past, I would put out what I called a 'morning line'," Del Genio said. "It was just who I thought would win. This year, for the first time, it's also a betting a line. We're accepting wagers all over Mexico, from Acapulco to Tampico. We've even put up a proposition on which film will receive the most Academy Awards."

Del Genio sees some tight competition in this year's marquee Oscar categories. He opened "American Beauty" and "The Cider House Rules" as even-money co-favorites for best picture.

Kevin Spacey ("American Beauty") opened a narrow even-money favorite over 12-10 Denzel Washington ("The Hurricane") for best actor. In the best actress race, Hilary Swank ("Boys Don't Cry") and Annette Bening ("American Beauty") each opened at even money.

The Academy Awards are set for March 26, and Del Genio's complete odds can be found online at www.globalpc.net/turfclub/oscars.htm

Academy Award wagering is not permitted in Nevada. And if a similar prohibition was slapped on college sports betting, that would be fine with Del Genio, too.

From a business perspective, that is.

"For a time, the United States gave Nevada a monopoly on college sports betting, and I was grateful to them then," Del Genio said. "If they give the books outside the U.S. a monopoly this time, well, then I'll be grateful again."