Sports Organizations Consult Firm For Gambling Issues
Las Vegas Sports Consultants Inc (LVSC) is working with the NCAA, NFL, NBA, and Big 12 Conference “to help flag suspicious activity” related to sports wagering, marking “a huge turnaround from the days when organized sports didn’t want anything to do” with Las Vegas, according to Audi & Thompson in a front-page piece for the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The NHL and NCAA “acknowledge[d] their relationship” with LVSC but did not elaborate on it. The NBA said that it “has had consultants in Las Vegas for 10 years.” The NFL said that it “has maintained some relationships with bookmakers, hotels and law enforcement in Las Vegas for many years.” LVSC, whose COO Kenny White is a “second-generation Vegas sports-betting insider,” was hired by the Big 12 to provide reports for its football and men’s basketball games beginning in ’05-06. These reports include statistical evaluation. Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe said that the conference spends about $50,000-75,000 a year for “antigambling activities, including educational programs, background checks for game officials and LVSC’s reports." He added that the conference “hasn’t detected any foul play.” LVSC declined to make its reports available or say how much it charges.
HOW IT BEGAN: Audi & Thompson note about ten years ago, the NBA turned to Station Casinos VP Race & Sports Book Operations Art Manteris, as a “behind-the-scenes consultant.” Manteris “engaged in what he describes as ‘philosophical discussions’” about gambling’s impact on the league and helped prepare a pamphlet, tagged "Don't Bet Your Life Away," that the NBA distributed to players and officials. This summer, the league tapped Manteris to “help unravel the details of” the Tim Donaghy betting scandal. Sources said that this relationship has “been formed in part because both sides benefit when the public believes games aren't fixed” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/3).
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