BET BASH 2023 RETURNS TO CIRCA RESORT & CASINO IN
LAS VEGAS, AUGUST 8-11
$20,000 Scavenger Hunt, Sports Gambling Hall of Fame Induction, Networking Events and More to Take Place in Downtown Las Vegas Casino-Resort
Bet Bash – the premier sports betting networking conference created by Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos – will return to downtown Las Vegas at Circa Resort & Casino August 8 – 11. Celebrating all things sports betting, event highlights will include the launch of the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame at Circa; a scavenger hunt worth $20,000 in prizes; and networking opportunities for those looking to connect with and learn from industry legends.
“We had a blast at last year’s Bet Bash at Circa, so it was a natural fit to bring the event back here for 2023,” said Kyrollos. “This is a chance for both industry giants and those who are passionate about betting to come together for the ultimate sports betting gathering.”
As the capstone event of Bet Bash, the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Friday, August 11. The physical location will be located within the world’s largest sportsbook at Circa, honoring five living and five in memoriam bookmakers and bettors who have transformed the sports gambling industry.
Bet Bash
The week’s itinerary will consist of the following events:
- Tuesday, August 8
- Kick off Bet Bash with an open bar at the Opening Night Registration Cocktail Party, taking place at the D Las Vegas’ BarCanada from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 9:
- Start the morning with a Speed Networking event at Circa’s Galaxy Ballroom from 9 a.m.-noon.
- Wrap up the day with an open bar cocktail party at BarCanada from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Thursday, August 10:
- Take part in a downtown Las Vegas Scavenger hunt worth $20,000 in prizes from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Experience football pre-season watch parties in the world’s largest sportsbook, featuring a 78 million pixel screen and at Stadium Swim from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., a multi-level destination pool amphitheater with a 143-foot diagonal screen, both including an open bar and food.
- Friday, August 11:
- Participate in several expert panels with complimentary catered lunch from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- 9 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.: “Attacking the Weekly College Football Line,” featuring panelists Bud Elliott, National CFB Editor of 24/7 Sports and Sports Bettor; Connor Hower, Head CFB Oddsmaker at Circa Sports; Eddie Walls, Professional Sports Bettor; Matt Metcalf, Former Director at Circa Sports; and Paul Stone, Professional Sports Bettor.
- 10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.: “Traders,” with panelists David Frohardt Lane, Co-Founder of Devalan Lake Trading; Ed Golden, Founder of Right Angle Sports; Glenn Herzog, Sportsbook Manager at Circa Sports; Luke Miller, Trader at Spanky’s Betting Desk (SIA); and Matthew Davidow, CTO of Huddle.
- 11 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.: “Be Better Bettors,” featuring an interview with Billy Walters and Spanky.
- 1:10 p.m. – 2 p.m.: “Can’t We All Just Get Along?,” including panelists Darren Rovell, Sports Business Reporter at Action Network; Dave Sharapan, Sports Betting Media Personality; Jeff Benson, Sportsbook Operations Manager at Circa Sports; Joey Knish, Sports Bettor and Content Creator; Rob Pizzola, Professional Sports Bettor and Co-Founder of The Hammer.
- 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Sports Gambling Hall of Fame Unveiling at Circa Sportsbook
- For the conclusion of the Bet Bash, attend the Sports Gambling Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Circa’s Galaxy Ballroom from 6 p.m.-10 p.m., with open bar and a four-course dinner included. Black-tie attire is recommended for this event, but business smart attire is required. End the night with an open bar during the VIP Legacy Club Closing Cocktail Party from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
- Participate in several expert panels with complimentary catered lunch from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sports Gambling Hall of Fame
An induction ceremony will be held for the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame during the last day of Bet Bast on August 11.
Click here for video information regarding all ten inductees
Billy Walters, Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal and Roxy Roxborough were recently announced as the first inductees into the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame, voted on by a 16-person advisory board. Joining the first three inductees, additional members of the inaugural class include (in alphabetical order by last name):
- Billy Baxter – A talented gambler all around, Baxter was a major force in introducing halftime betting as it is known today. He successfully argued with the United States government to allow citizens the ability to file their taxes as a “Professional Gambler.
- Jackie Gaughan – Starting his gambling career as a bookmaker in Omaha, Nebraska, Gaughan created the first ever sportsbook inside a casino at the Union Plaza. He owned and operated eight casinos in his Las Vegas career and is best known for his ownership of the El Cortez. In memoriam
- Jack Franzi – A successful sports bettor and also one of the most influential oddsmakers in Las Vegas history, not only was Franzi a terrific bookmaker, but a great handicapper and bettor. He knew the value of credible information and how to maximize it and was the oddsmaker at Michael Gaughan’s Barbary Coast and Gold Coast from 1979 to 1997. In memoriam
- Bob Martin – Known as the nation’s premier oddsmaker for decades, Martin set the bar for the standard of excellence of the Las Vegas line and invented the “half-point line,” eliminating ties with bettors. For 20 years, he posted solid lines on sporting events and helped usher in the golden age of sports betting in Nevada. In memoriam
- Charles McNeil – A famous sports bettor known for inventing and popularizing the point spread, McNeil had winning years in 25 out of 27 seasons betting on college football and was a mathematics teacher to President John F. Kennedy. In memoriam
- Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal – Rosenthal was an American professional sports bettor and former Las Vegas casino executive, known for blending charisma with customer service to casino patrons. He was portrayed by Robert DeNiro in the popular movie, Casino. In memoriam
- Roxy Roxborough – Roxbourough was a prominent oddsmaker in the 1980s and 1990s who introduced mathematical formulas and computer models to the industry. He also revolutionized the technology for updating odds to hundreds of sports books, newspapers and media outlets.
- Scotty Schettler – One of the most beloved and respected bookmakers in the game, Schettler started the famous Stardust lottery, allowing everyone a fair chance to bet on openers. He accepted all customers, regardless of how sharp they were.
- Jimmy Vaccaro – The first bookmaker to introduce halftime and quarter wagering, Vaccaro helped accelerate the expansion of sports betting in Nevada when the Barbary Coast opened in 1979.
- Billy Walters – Walters is known for being the greatest sports bettor of all time and as the gambling legend who has been described as “the Michael Jordan of sports betting.” He is a legend in Las Vegas and among sports bettors worldwide, commanding respect from every prominent bookmaker in the world and known for contributing as a philanthropist to various causes. With a winning streak of 36 consecutive years in sports betting, he has placed hundreds of millions a year in gross wagers.
To purchase tickets to Bet Bash, click here. For tickets to the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame induction ceremony, click here. All attendees must be 21 years of age.
Bet Bash exclusive hotel rates will be available to attendees. To book at Circa, click here. To book at the D Las Vegas, click here.
For more information, visit betbash.co or SGHOF.com, and follow Bet Bash on Twitter @bet_bash and the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame on Twitter at @theSGHOF.
About Circa Resort & Casino
Get ready for the time of your life at Circa Resort & Casino, an adults-only casino-resort concept in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. The AAA Four Diamond Circa pays homage to Vegas’ Golden Era through vintage design, old-school hospitality and nods to the city’s history while introducing high-tech advancements and innovative amenities. The resort features upscale rooms and suites; the world’s largest sportsbook; Stadium Swim, a year-round pool aqua theater; a two-story casino; Garage Mahal, a high-tech transportation hub; the luxe Legacy Club rooftop lounge; an expansive local art collection; 35,000 sq. ft of meetings and conventions space and more. Guests can indulge at original restaurant concepts including premium steaks and seafood at Barry’s Downtown Prime from Chef Barry S. Dakake and Make It Happen Hospitality; Pan-Asian fare at 8 East from Chef Dan Coughlin; deli classics at Saginaw’s Delicatessen from restaurateur Paul Saginaw; authentic Carolina barbecue at Project BBQ; and all-star menus at Victory Burger & Wings Co. from the founding family of American Coney Island. Visit circalasvegas.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @circalasvegas to stay up to date.