After five weeks of the iconic 40th Annual Bookies Battle for top prognosticator during this year’s historic 100th NFL season, Aria Resort and Casino’s Jasin Halpin remains in a first place tie for the second week in a row. Halpin’s 41-22 record shares the top spot with Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino’s Al Beal, who moved up from second place in week four.
Texas Station Gambling Hall’s Mario Jackson, with a 39-24 record, just two picks behind the leaders, dropped into sole possession of third place after holding a first place tie after weeks three and four.
The yearly Gaming Today contest pits nearly 100 top U.S. sportsbook directors and their reputations in direct competition to determine the most accurate NFL prognosticator. Participating bookies are required to pick the entire week of NFL games against the point spread set by the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ric Baum of Circus Circus narrowly beat Palace Station’s Jackson Meeker during last year’s Bookies Battle in an intense competition that ultimately came down to the Titans versus Colts game in the last week of the season. Neither bookie was able to best Chris Marcione of Jerry’s Nugget during the Playoff Bookies Battle, however.
Great Resource for Bettors
Gaming Today’s Bookies Battle dates to 1979 and features the largest number of participating sportsbook directors and managers from every legalized sports betting region in the country. The winner receives $1,500 and – more importantly – bragging rights as the nation’s premier prognosticator.
Howard Barish, general manager of Gaming Today, said: “It’s exciting to see so many well-known and highly respected sportsbook experts available to all bettors in one place. Anybody looking for an edge in making their weekly NFL picks will be thrilled to have the selections of 94 of the nation’s top bookies at the click of a mouse.”
Among the elite pickers this year are sportsbook directors from over 45 Las Vegas properties including Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Station Casinos, Westgate and Harrah’s; as well as casinos from new U.S. markets in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Mississippi and Indiana, along with several online sports betting platforms such as DraftKings and Bet.Works.
Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations at DraftKings, said: “Given the recent data provided by the [American Gaming Association] that more than 38 million Americans plan to bet on an NFL game this season, the Gaming Today Bookie Battle will be an essential resource for expertise when choosing a team to bet, DraftKings is thrilled to have five of our sportsbook managers as participants. This is undoubtedly a prestigious group of sports betting specialists throughout the country.”