Westgate Winning with Jay Kornegay

you from boring weekend sports chatter. And on the Friday Podcast, we are back to the regular routine here. We wanted to chat with somebody about the world of gambling here this week in particular, there was some of the big moves that have happened in the NFL and big weekend. Obviously, college basketball is massive, so we tracked down a big shot, a gambling mogul from the Westgates super book, The Vice President. That's a big title. Jake Cornegate joined us here from

Las Vegas, and Jay, thank you. Why don't we start with Tyreek Hill. That is the massive neutron bomb story in our little world here, So Tyreek Hill we all know by now traded from Kansas City to Miami for a buffel bag of draft fix. But we're talking about a wide receiver. So I ask you, Jay, does this move the needle dramatically? It certainly did. It kind of kind of thought guard a little bit, but you know, once I reviewed it with with some of the other guys,

it was understandable. Know, um, why we were going to adjust you know, the number uh that we did, because they were sixty and thirty. We dropped it and this is a receiver. Now, receiver changes teams and all of a sudden they're down to forty and twenty the Dolphins. So the Dolphins basically went from sixty to one down to forty to one off that one move. But there's a little bit more to it than that. There's there's some other uh moves that really compounded uh you know

this uh adjustment that we made. Uh, there's been some before the trade, and over let's say the last three or four weeks, the Dolphins have kind of become a a sharp kind of guys uh sexy pick you know, and then they've been getting some love and some of the future markets, you know, around town. So once they got Hill, you know we we we made an aggressive move for a receiver changing teams. Yeah, and and and

whose word? I guess the question who's worth box? I saw the last week we had Davante Adams who went from Green Bay to the Raiders. Uh, Who's gonna make more of an impact? Is it Tyreek with the Dolphins or do you think as far as the gambling markets concerned, is it Davante Addams of the Raiders. Well, I mean you're talking about two of the best receivers and the

NFL changing teams. And you know, I always thought he'll you know, had a huge impact on all the other receivers you know there we were looking at it, whether it's Robinson, Hartman or Kelsey. Um, you know they're they're gonna have their hands full, you know with the Homes and Company trying to move this offense along because he'll opened up so many things with this speed. He was always on the radar the defensive backs. He's always on the radar for the defensive coordinators out there. He has

a huge impact. So I think he has a bigger impact on the overall scheme of the offense than maybe Adams but I'm gonna take anything away from Adams. Adams is fantastic. We also had a fantastic quarterback. So I think it's gonna be very interesting to see, you know, the relationship that the car and and Adams will have moving forward. Now, one of the reasons I would have

you on Jay, you had some interesting comments recently. You're talking about the Buccaneers with Tom Brady coming back and uh you were were quoted and you said you think there was some some big wages that were right before with insider information. Now what is the latest on that, Jay? Is anything come of that here? How confident are you that somebody knew something they weren't maybe maybe weren't supposed

to know, or or took advantage of that situation. I just thought you might bring this up then, But it's all good. Um. You know, first of all, you know a lot of people thought I was complaining or was looking to avoid the wagers or cancel them, and that's

not true at all. I wasn't complaining. I was just telling you what I saw and what we saw all were the type of bets that are not categorized as speculation or hunch bets when when someone comes to your window and ask how much you're gonna take out a certain number, and then you move it. They're gonna say what are you moving it to? And how much are you gonna take at that number? And then they want to revet it again, what are you moving in to? How much you're gonna take at that number? You know

that that's because that doesn't raise your flag a little bit. Um. You know, you're you're probably not doing your job. I'm not looking to cancel. The liability is very minimal and and our eyes something that we can really get rid of before the season even starts. But the way they came in in the circle of people that bet them around the country, not just in Las Vegas, but in many other jurisdiction. We talked to a few operators there were there was definitely some leaks there that got to

a certain you know, circle of people. It wasn't like you know, a publication or whatever the newspaper is, the Orlando Orlando Sentinel or something like that, you know, got a leak at it. It it's uh leak out to a certain group. And I thought that was a red flag. I mean, we're moving on, um, you know, I can't tell you everything, but uh, you know, they're still looking into some things. And um, again no complaints. We're gonna

be fine with a liability. We're moving forward. And I just told people what I saw, all right, So they are looking into it though, So there are there are people like an oversight group kind of looking into it. Is that Is that an accurate way to talk about what's going on with Brady? That the bets? Yeah, I I uh, you know, we we have to do certain things here on our end um. But you know, I'm gonna probably keep it very big and as and as I said that they are looking into it, I'll probably

leave it at that, all right. And you guys now operate You're in Vegas, but you operate in multiple states here, Jay, and and you reference something that's interesting because because of the way the gambling set up now, it's not fully matured the gambling market, but it's in a lot of places these days. How how do you guys go about protecting yourself? I guess you kind of referenced a little bit that you saw some odd things pop up there

across the country. But what's to stop somebody from going to seven eight different states and putting down a chunk of change on something like that or does it matter, doesn't matter. I mean you can go to different operators. How does that all work. I'm fascinated by this. Yeah, I mean it's it's uh, you know, the market continues to expand. It it's obviously you know, comfort to control and regulate. I think the regulators have done a terrific job.

I think the NFL does a fantastic job. I think the league's overall do a great job of you know, educating the players and educating the staff everybody in their organization and what the rules are. And if those players or somebody else in the organization, uh, don't follow the rules, there's just no way to you know, prevent that. I mean, we have same rules for people that are in the gaming industry. You know, many states, if not all states.

You know, employees of betting operator can't wager at um you know, their own operation. And that's been the regulation here in Nevada for for ever ever since I've been in the industry, that's over thirty years. So but if someone wants to ignore that rule and and and do that, they can. But it's just as a matter of time before they get caught, and like I said, the leagues to a termendous job policing and educating their players and

staff that they can't do certain things. But if they go out and do it, uh and ignore those uh parameters, you know that's on them and they're going to have to suffer the consequences. Yeah. No, And jaysonbody's been in the gamming world for a long time. You saw that the Calvin Really story. I was surprised that was only a one day story. The Falcon receiver that was suspended for betting and he used his own phone. J Uh that that does not seem like the wisest move to me.

I'm not that bright myself, but I would think you might not want to use your phone on that. But, uh, do you think this is a regular thing in the end of I know you're you're part of it, but these players with with the odds out every Week's been that way forever. But do you think I can't imagine Calvin Really is the only one doing this. Do you think do you think this is just the outlier or do you think this is more normal? Oh? I think that this this is gonna happen. Uh, you know, moving forward.

I just hope it's somewhat minimized, and you know, we have to do our job, you know, as as operators. You know, we you know a lot of people don't think that we care about integrity as operators, but it's right on top of the list. Uh, integrity is our product. You know. We want to make sure all gains are fair and true. You know, we don't want to be taken taking bets on something that's predetermined, and so uh, you know, as it expands, you know, yes, people have

that opportunity to make those kind of wagers. Now, what really did I I was surprised the channels that he used his own channels, but uh, you know, I I think it would have been more alarming, Uh if he bet against the falcons um. You know, but that's that's a that's definitely a bigger flag than than just placing bets you know on you know, on the faccon or

on other games. But they know the rules, they know the guidelines and parameters, and they cross those, you know, that's you know, those are the consequences that they're going to have to face. A one year suspension is pretty hefty, and not to mention forfeiting, you know, a pretty large salary. All right. So as far as that looking ahead here, and you mentioned we talked about Brady and that move

things with him coming back. You're a Colorado guy, so you also mentioned Russell Wilson ja and how dramatically have have things changed? Obviously the Broncos now back at the adults table in the NFL with a quarterback. But how how dramatic are we talking about the perspective from the

gambling side with Russell coming to Denver? Yeah, I mean when we were taking bets, you know, in January and February for next year, you know a lot of these teams, including let's say that the team that we're looking to land, uh, you know, a premier quarterback, and Denver certainly was one of them. You know, you look at the box, you look at the Titans, you look at the Steelers. Um. So when when the you know, Packers resigned Rogers, you know that that was pretty much what we thought was

going to happen. So there wasn't much of an adjustment. Russell going to the Broncos was a big surprise. Uh, you know, we didn't think that the Broncos, We're gonna give up that many picks and and you know a couple of very solid players, but they're in the wind now mode and that's understandable. Uh, they're trying to win it now. And that was a dramatic change. I mean, the Broncos were fifteen and thirty, fifteen for the conference, thirty for the Super Bowl prior to the Wilson announcement.

But that's the fifteen and thirty. There was already, um, you know, some thoughts built into those numbers, meaning that they possibly could land somebody. We didn't know who it was. We didn't know it was Gumbi Watson, Wilson or somebody else, but they were shopping and they were looking for a quarterback. So um, with that signing, you know, the Broncos went right down to ten and twenty. So it was a pretty big move. But it probably would have been bigger if we uh, if it would have been a team

not looking for a premier quarterback. But the Broncos were only fifteen and thirty as they were, sir and hunting for that next quarterback. Yeah. And you look around the NFL here and the balance of powers, it's all on the a f C. I mean to me, I look at the NFC. I see like three, maybe four teams in the NFC that realistically, the outside of some lightning strike, can can get to the Super Bowl and win it.

But in the a f C, you can make a compelling argument for six teams maybe maybe even more than that in the In the a f C, this thing is really really shifted. And I am I seeing this right? Is that it is my perspective correct. There's a lot of teams in the a f C and not as many in the NFC that seemed to be at the very top levels. That an accurate portrayal of the gambling market. Oh sure, I mean, look at all the premier quarterbacks.

They're all in the a f C. Outside of Brady, you know you uh, you know, Stafford and the defending champions are right there as well. Um, but the forty nine will be there, certainly, the packers in the NFC, the favorites there. I would suspect that, um, there probably will be a team that we're not even looking at that will pop up and be contenders at the end of the you know, the next season. But the a f C is just loaded, especially when you talk about

the quarterbacks. Everybody's talking about the a f C West, and and that still holds true, you know with the with an announcement that Hill is gone. Um, you know, the the Chiefs just got closer to the rest of the pack in the a f C West as everybody's creeping up. I mean, Mahomes is going to be on the highland out there and he's got a lot of work to do because everybody else in that West division

is pretty loaded. Their rosters are very, very solid, and it's gonna be it's gonna be one of those where, you know, if the best team might be in the a f C West, but because they're they're probably going to beat up each other throughout the season. They might not have of the best record in the a f C. Yeah, Well, what do you do with a team like the Bengals who were that out of nowhere team this past year to get to the Super Bowl? And uh, they did

make some moves here they added to the offensive line. Uh, a team like Cincinnati, did they go back uh and did never never land? Or are they gonna gonna be a prominent team again this upcoming? You what do you think on that? Well, they're in between. You know, they're not the favorites. They're they're you know, not an underdog, but they're they're in the same category as the Denver Broncos.

You know, their ten to one for the conference, twenty for for the super Bowl, and to put back to back seasons together like they just had, it's gonna be very difficult because everybody in their division is going to be shooting for him. The Bangers will have a huge target on their backs. And you've got quality rosters on many teams in the a f C that could easily

win win that conference. So they're not the every they're they're not a huge underdog, but they're probably at the bottom of that maybe the top of that second tier and staying in that division. Jay the Cleveland Brown's upsetting many people. They get Deshaun Watson from the Texans, But did they really get Deshaun Watson because he's facing some

kind of punishment from the NFL. So how how do you guys handle a team like the Browns where you don't really know for sure how many games if you know any who knows Deshaun could be suspended for a long years. So what do you do with a guy like Deshaun Watson and the Browns there, Yeah, they're they're at nine and eighteen and and uh, I think that's gonna be an interesting story to follow because the Browns

have a fantastic offense. We all know that they can run the ball, so that's certainly gonna help out Watson. You know, they have some weapons there that offensively and defensively. They got a really strong roster. You know, where they were lacking was at the quarterback position. But we're talking about a player that hasn't played in a while. We're

sure how good he's going to be. Is he going to be able to up right back in and and you know play to a level that you know where he left off because he was playing at a very high level, um, you know before all this came down. So it's another contender in the a f C. And the odds really reflect that as they're only nine to one to win the a f C with all this other competitions surrounding them. Who has been the hot team? Jay?

Who are who? People? The public? Who is there any one team at this point we haven't even gotten the draft yet, but is there is there one team that's the hot sexy team the smoke show that the public is jumping all over here. Well I can I'm just looking at the ticket accounts right now then and some of the ticket accounts, uh, people are in love with

a few teams here. It's very well balanced as far as if you were to look at the top ticket accounts and the for the Super Bowl and talking about you're talking about teams like these, the Titans, Uh, the um Bengals are right up there as well. You've got the Bills, who are the favorites along with the Rams um to actually win the Super Bowl. And then out of the NFC. Uh, some of the top ticket account

leaders here are well, of course the Buccaneers. Now, uh, the Buccaneers, you know they're they're they're always gonna be a hot, hot flavor here with with you know who coming back. But now you look at the usual suspects. Then after that you look at the Packers. Of course, the Cowboys and the forty Niners. Forty Niners are actually right up there towards the top. They're they're kind of another I'm not gonna say a sharp guy type of play. Ah,

it's more of a recreational player. A lot of people believe in the forty Niners, and I don't blame them. They they were playing great ball last you know, during the playoffs, they look like they were going to be the team. Um somehow, you know, the Rams won that game. But forty Niners are certainly a team that's uh championship worthy and of course a bit of a wild card though, because they're supposed to change quarterbacks so that they still

have Jimmy Garoppolo with Tree Lance. Who know who knows whether he's gonna be great or not. But I didn't want to move on from that. Jay college basketball. As we are talking here, as we're talking, the the second weekend has not begun. So let's look back at the opening weekend here. I heard a bit of a sounds like a father there is that a good or a bad sign? Here? How did everything go the first week?

It seems to me from a talk radio perspective, JA, from where I'm at, this is a pretty good mix for me, because there's still a lot of the traditional college basketball powers that made it into the second week, with a mix of a few surprise upstart teams. But for you, where are you at on the the n c A tournament at this point. Well, you know, a good mixture of you know, premier teams and underdogs is

always a great recipe for us. Um. You know, we we don't want all underdogs, we don't want all favorites, we don't want all uh you know, the top tier teams advancing. We we uh, we prefer a good mix. And that's exactly what happened in the first weekend. And they you know, with I mean I'm not talking about big underdogs like St. Peter's, but teams like either Michigan or North Carolina, those teams that had some you know, uh um, some purse seating that you know, made some noise.

And these teams are um, I'll tell you they are. Um, they're they're making us look really good because of the results that the first weekend and was one of the best martial madnesses we've ever had. And uh, you know, we we did really well all four days out here in Vegas. The venue was just packed. We we have you know, we have the world's largest race of sports books here and we also have a theater that seats people. Both venues were sold out for the first three days

of the tournament, and that continues as we speak. We we have some great crowds in house for the second weekend here and um no, it's it's been fantastic. It's a it's been a great tournament. Um. I think the expansion of sports gaming throughout the country has really helped us. That a lot of people thought that was gonna hurt us.

But I talked to so many people last weekend where they were from, and they a lot of them came in from jurisdictions that just you know, recently approved sports gaming and they said, you know, once that happened and they got you know, uh, you know, involved in it, they knew that Vegas was going to be a box that they needed to check. And we had so many new customers come in and again, remember this was our first true marriage madness in three years. Uh, you know,

we didn't have that one two years ago. Last year we were restricted to. This year was full blown and people were just elated to be out here, uh and enjoying the you know, the tournament once again. Yeah. I gotta tell you, I was in Vegas a few weeks ago and I went to uh I think one of one of your establishments. It is insane. The quality of the video. It's like being at an NFL stadium now with some of the stuff you guys have in these sports books. It's it's it's absolutely amazing, and you guys

were charging. I was curious when I was walking through, I was like, I wonder how this is gonna work for the for the tournament. So did people have to buy tickets? Is that how that went to watch? Or they reserve seats or because I would think that that was gonna be a madhouse the first couple of days for sure, So how did that work? Well, yeah, you have a good mixture. You have some first come, first serve,

you have some you know, basic reserve seating. Then you also have v I p uh seating as well, that which usually includes uh, you know, premier real estate in the sports book with all your food and drinks included, you know, I mean pricing of these things range from forty dollars to and so it's uh and again they were all sold out, so um you know, we we always try to um accommodate all different levels and that's

exactly what happened. That was it was just really great to see how many people were just having such a good time, and you know, remember Marshal Madness is mostly made up of males. In fact, it's probably nine five males, and a lot of it is our reunions, people that went to school together or co workers or just have some history together and then they meet up here and they always seem to come in groups of you know, two to six guys, and um, I can't remember ever

seeing the level of enthusiasm that we saw here. It was people were just having a good time, you know, and we did really well, so you know, they were doing that great on the betting side of things. You know, they had their moments just like they always do, but you know that that didn't curb the enthusiasm at all. Uh, they had a blast and it was just a lot of fun, a lot of excitement, and uh, the atmosphere was just terrific here in the Super Bowl. Yeah, it's

I can imagine. Well, for three years in the making, right, people been waiting around with the COVID and all this stuff. So as far as a team like St. Peter's though, Jake kind of walk me through that they're they're off the grid, small school. Uh. Was anyone actually betting on St. Peter's against Kentucky or was it mostly on on Kentucky

that first big upset of March Madness back last week. Well, I'll say it wasn't a heavily beat game compared to some of the others, because you know a lot of the public out there they don't really like to lay those big points and and uh, you know, on the flip side, they're not really you know, have a history of supporting in teams like St. Peter's, So it had, you know, a fair amount of action versus all the

other games St Peter's. Um certainly, I'll tell you the St. Peter's open five thousand and one, all right to win it all and now they're down to five one to win it all. But that that game against Kentucky, which it just electrified the room. I mean, there were a lot of I think anybody that was not wearing blue and white in the room was cheering for St. Peter's. Uh, it was, it was. It was incredible. And I'll tell you the second game against Murray State, and no one

believed in St. Peter's. Everybody was on Murray State. And I understand that Murray State was a you know, eight and a half point favorite, and St. Peter's pretty much controlled that whole game and came out with an easy win and going into you know this today, you know it's St. Peter's is um, you know, not really getting a lot of attention from the bettors Um, but a lot of people have wondered why they're still getting double digits and being in the business for a long time.

We don't make knee jerk changes, you know. We we adjust, uh, little by little, and that's exactly what we did with their power ranking. If this game would have been played, you know, before the tournament even started, uh, you know, Purdue probably would have been like a fifteen sixteen point favorite.

So now it's down to twelve because of what St. Peter's did the first weekend got you And is there one team of the fields we head in again we're talking before the sweet sixteam, But is there one team that is getting the the action, the popular pick by popular people here of the field remaining in the tournament? No, not really. It's really spread out, and as it should

be because there's just so much parody. We saw a number of these number one seeds either you know, one one got knocked out, but you look at it and it seems like all of them got tested. You know what maybe Kansas did in Kansas, Kansas. To me, it looks like they just got an easy road, you know, to to the final four. You know that Miami's there, but other than that, they're looking pretty good to get there.

And that's why their their odds are a little lower than maybe some of the others, because the others have a tougher road to get there. Like Kansas, everything opened up, you know, as you know, their number two seed, number three seed in that region have already lost. So uh, they're they're looking pretty good. But when it when it comes down to it, it looks like it probably could be Gonzaga. You know, They're they're just so good. The power ranking on them is so hi that they're gonna

be a favorite no matter who they play. Um, but watch out, you know, watch out for those Gags, but also watch out for those Jayhawks because they got an easy road. Interesting all right, now, speaking of wide open this is very rare. I want to go to the NBA j because you know, typically, I know, we're not quite at the time where people get all excited for the NBA, but the playoffs will be here before you

know it next month. And typically the NBA, I could I could pick five teams JA and I would be right. I would say over the last twenty five years, I would be right. Twenty four out of the TWI I picked five teams, one of them would win the championship. I don't see it that way? Am I wrong in that? I look at the NBA and I see I know Celtics have played well recently as we're talking here, but

that looks pretty wide open like that. I don't see the typical four teams that are invincible, four or five teams in the NBA or that that just nobody can beat. So what's going on in the NBA as far as the gambling world is concerned? You you know, the NBA is wide open, as you stated, especially in the East side, you know, the West side not so much. But anybody

can come out of the East. There's like six teams that will have the chance of coming out of you know, the Eastern Conference, but not as many teams on the Western side. But you're exactly right. It's not down with two teams. It's not down to four teams. There's there's probably eight teams that could win the championship this year, which you know, as a bookmaker, we're loving well. And what what do you do with a team like the Lakers? Now?

I know, you know you're in Vegas, but you guys run uh you know, gambling shops and other states and stuff. But in Vegas. Every time I go to Vegas, I go to a sports book and I have to go drink. Basketball season. There's a million guys in there with Laker gearon. And are are people still betting on the Lakers? There's

been a miserable season for the Lakers. Here are people still loading up on the Lakers despite the be as flawed roster that they appear to have this year, and then the way it's played out all season, that's exactly what's happening. They just can't get away from the Lakers. You know, the Lakers are on right now, which they probably should be like, but people continue to bet them.

And right now, we have so much liability on the Lakers that they were to somehow pull this off that uh, I might be looking for a different job by the end of tune if they were to win it. But they it's not. Yeah, it's it's something that they just can't get away from They still believe somehow they're going to make a d eighty degree turn and make this

thing happen. But we don't see it as bookmakers. But we've got to be careful because you know, we were, you know, we're taking bets on this at some hefty odds, and that liability does add up very quickly. But you're spot on. They love Lakers and they continue to do it despite the play that we see on the court there, I mean, and all of our eyes out here, there's

no chance they're gonna win. Okay, I'll knock on wood, but you know, you know, I just you know, it's just they have so many issues, so many problems they you know, just to turn the switch on. I just don't see how they could do it. Yeah, I agree with you, But like I said, every time I've we've been in Vegas, it's like a million guys, you know, all wearing their Laker gear, convinced that the that they're gonna turn the switch. All right, Well we'll get out

on this. Ja Baseball a bunch of moves has been very interesting the last couple of weeks, with all the free agent signings and trades, a bunch of transactions all packed in and the season getting going in a couple of weeks here, Uh, any of those, you know, Freddie Freeman to the Dodgers, Carlos Carea went to the Twins, a bunch of big trades, anything moving the needle there, any impactful things as far as baseball is concerned down the line, which is not until obviously October. But did

anything really stand out to you guys in the gaming world. Well, you know, it's about the Dodgers around here, and and they they clearly, I mean, that lineup is ridiculous, right, I mean, at Freeman to the mix that's just crazy. I mean, now, you know, losing Seeger, it just isn't a big deal, you know. Uh, it's all gonna be about their pitching. You know, if Bauer could uh you know, I think if he's able to clear it and somehow get back to the Dodgers at some point, that is

like adding another ace to to their their staff. I'm sure the Dodgers are not done. They'll probably you know, add another picture or two down the stretch. So they're looking, you know, like the team a bit. We we expect them to win more than a hundred games this year. I mean looking out West, you look at the two tease injury again, that's the problem. Well you got to Carves and Snell look a little passive prime and that's gonna be a huge hurdle for them. Uh. But I

don't know. Nationally, you get the Brewers, you got the Braise, you know, the Braids get a Kuna back back in May. Um, I think, you know, obviously that's gonna hurt them losing Freeman, but also it's not that bad so Brewers praise Mets. Out of the National Aid, those are going to be the big contenders, I think. Um. I mean obviously outside of the Dodgers and then the A l you know,

Houston looks solid again Prea. I understand that's gonna hurt a little bit, but we'll we'll see what Berlander has left. White Sox looked took a big step last year. I think that they're gonna be there at the end, and then the Rays or the Raise. Blue Jay's lineup looks really strong, you know, behind them, you can look at the Red Sox and the Yankees, but it's pretty much the usual suspects what we've seen in recent years. Uh, you know, heading into the baseball season. I got you

and uh, and you have a podcast right now. You run the book there, but you also have a case promote that. How can people hear you? How can they find your podcast? Yeah, you can follow us at superbook dot com. You know, check us out, and you know our our app is available and four states now. We're about ready to add Tennessee to the mix in a couple of weeks. Uh, so look us up and sign up for app no matter where you are, you can

do that. That's under super Book Sports and uh, you know, follow us and you can get all the details of whatever we're gonna be. Well, Jay, thanks for the info. I appreciate it. Have a wonderful weekend and that we'll talk to you down inline. Thanks Jake, Thanks, I appreciate it.