NASCAR, MLB Return To Vegas, STN Books Start Boosting Bets

Like that orange scorpion’s target inside a Strip hotel room, the STN Sports Books are nuts! On the heels of a huge NASCAR race handle, increasing interest in Caitlin Clark and just plain ole fun bets, crowds have been swarming the Books. Just last week, a bettor cashed a five-team parlay for $156,116 that came via four NBA wins and a Golden Knights victory. With money like that, you can probably almost afford a 2024 F1 ticket.

With all that in mind, let’s quickly look back at the past week in sports and peek at what’s ahead on the STN Sports app and at the STN Sports Books…

Russell Wilson Saga

Like U2 at the Sphere, Russell Wilson is finished — Well, he’s done in Denver, at least. On Monday, the Broncos announced that they would be releasing the quarterback, a man they gifted a $242 million contract to after a trade from Seattle just two years ago. Dogecoin wasn’t even that bad of a trade. It seems highly likely that some teams will be interested in signing Ciara’s husband, but he doesn’t really move the needle much for anyone anymore.

“If he were to go to the Steelers, maybe that’s the one team that an upgrade at quarterback would help somewhat,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos’ Race and Sports Book Director. Ever since Wilson was benched late in the season, his release seemed inevitable and several teams were quickly linked to him.

“It is an upgrade if he goes to the Raiders from what they had,” Esposito said, “but he’s still in the same division that he was in. You’re still in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. It’s an upgrade. I just don’t know if it moves the needle that much. I don’t know how much what he has left.” In other words, don’t expect the future’s market to be shaken up dramatically if and when Wilson signs with a new squad.

Last Man Standing

Even protesters don’t march like us. Guests can sign up for the Men’s Last Man Standing competition for NCAA Basketball Tournament, ie. March Madness! For just $25, players can purchase an entry into the winner-take-all competition in person at any Station Casinos property or Station-run Sports Books.

Bettors can increase their chances of winning by purchasing multiple entries. Any contestant who purchases four entries will receive a fifth entry complimentary. The last man (or woman) standing will win 100% of the entry fee pot, with a minimum prize of $50,000.

Point Props

Like the yellow-billed loon that’s been hanging out at the Bellagio Fountains, Caitlin Clark is a rare bird. The Iowa living legend has become the all-time scoring leader in NCAA Division 1 history, having bested “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s record that stood for 54 years. Even Madonna doesn’t have a record that old. And, the future WNBA player passed the Pistol on a free throw, which was a boon for the Books. Like they did before breaking the women’s scoring record, oddsmakers offered a bet on the type of shot that Cait The Great would hit to set the record. A three-pointer was the odds-on favorite.

“Most of the money was bet on her passing the record with a 3 [pointer] so the free throw was good for us,” Esposito said. Similarly, on March 2, STN Books also offered a prop tied to LeBron James and the type of shot he would use to get his 40,000 career point.

“We’re always looking to kind push the envelope and put these props up, but they’re not just fun props and water cooler props,” Esposito opined. “It’s stuff that we think about and we want the guests to think about as well. They’re good, challenging, fun props that capitalize on what the hot topics are in the world of sports. I think we’ve been out in front of that now for several years, and I think that trend is going to continue.”

Track Time

Kyle Larson took home the checkered flag at Sunday NASCAR race, fending off Tyler Reddick. Kyle, who was favored to win, was also victorious in Las Vegas last October, so he’s more at home in the desert than a Henderson-area coyote.

“We had some money come in on Kyle Busch and Joey Logano and some other drivers, so Larson winning was good for us. We did well on that,” Esposito said.

MLB is Back!

Big League Weekend returns to Las Vegas this weekend when the Las Vegas-adjacent A’s face the Milwaukee Brewers at the home of the AAA Aviators in Summerlin. Naturally, guests will be able to bet the games, but don’t expect your hometown-ish A’s to be favorites.

Esposito said, “A lot of it could be split squad, and we don’t know yet what the rosters are going to be, but it’s more than likely the Brewers are going to be the favorite across the board.” Perhaps not surprisingly, the games here draw bigger handles than typically preseason games. Plus, depending on the weather, there could be some value on one bet.

Said Esposito, “Major League Baseball in our backyard always generates a really good handle, and when the wind’s blowing out, those totals get up there pretty quickly.” After all, we are a “swing” state.