Question of the day
Tuesday, Feb 11, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* KSDK…
Argosy Casino in Alton has announced it will be opening its new sportsbook in March and is planning to open in time for the NCAA ‘March Madness’ basketball tournament later that month.
The sportsbook is set to feature more than 25 big screen TV’s with betting windows and self-service kiosks.
Argosy will host a job fair on Wednesday, February 12 from 3-6 p.m. at the casino to hire additional staff for the new addition.
“We are excited to be the first to introduce sports betting to the region,” Steve Peate, Argosy Casino Alton Vice President and General Manager said. “Our all new Sportsbook integrated with our Hops House Restaurant & Bar will provide a unique experience for our guests to dine, bet and enjoy all the action.”
Rivers Casino is also gearing up.
* The Question: Do you bet on sports, and, if so, why? If not, why not?
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 3:28 pm:
No. Not morally opposed, just not my thing. I doubt this will change that, partly because we won’t be able to bet on Illinois college teams.
- Lefty Lefty - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 3:29 pm:
I dont bet on sport’s. Im not very good at it — I blame this on a tendency to root for underdog’s as well as think I can pull inside straight’s in poker all the time.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 3:31 pm:
No.
Seems like a waste of time and money.
- Northsider - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
No. I’d rather spend my money on good food and locally brewed beverages.
- Annonin - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 3:39 pm:
We like to bet on animals more, but are known to compromise by betting on animals pulling humans
- Sox Fan - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 3:47 pm:
I am not a regular sports gambler, but whenever I’m in Vegas or more recently at the Horseshoe, I like to put a small wager down on a game I’m watching or a future bet on a team.
I presume once the local sportsbooks open in Illinois, I will bet a little more frequently as I do enjoy watching sports more if I have a bet on the line.
- OutOfState - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 3:48 pm:
Occasionally. Mainly just the odd prop bet for big games and the long-shot bets on my teams winning their league’s titles. For me, it’s a fun game and keeps long seasons interesting.
- NoGifts - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 3:50 pm:
No, I don’t enjoy sports or gambling.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 3:56 pm:
Yes. Why? Because it adds a layer of drama to something I’m going to do anyway, which is watch a game.
I’m no handicapper, but there aren’t too many better ways to watch sports than in a sports book during a big game. There is no such thing as a meaningless touchdown in the NFL. Missed free throws in a NCAA game take on a whole new meaning when you have to beat (or cover) the spread. The crowd can live or die on a single play, or a call, or a bounce of the ball. It can be exhilarating. Or painful. Sometimes both.
I like sports, so adding the element of financial risk/reward tends to amplify the experience. Betting against the spread is one of the more difficult things to do consistently well. Most pros are barely above 50%.
Prop bets, parlays, and other so-called sucker bets, add other ways to throw money into a three hour game that you were going to watch anyway. In the old days, you used to get free drinks if you had a bet receipt at the sports book. Now, you’re lucky if you get one drink token.
I think the on-line stuff, especially the in-game action (like will the next free throw be made or missed) is a recipe for trouble, and sooner or later some sporting event is going to be corrupted by gamblers seeking an edge, so enjoy it while you can. And like anything else, enjoy it in moderation.
- Earnest - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:00 pm:
No. I had a bad experience in college. I bet $3 in laundry quarters on the Cubs game three of the ‘84 playoffs. Two double-or-nothing losses later I was out $12. I was re-wearing dirty socks and underwear for a couple of weeks before I could do laundry again.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:03 pm:
In high school PE, the Curmudgeon was always the last guy chosen for the teams, so he avoids sports like the Black Plague today.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:03 pm:
“Do you bet on sports, and, if so, why? If not, why not?”
Nope. My mamma didn’t raise no marks.
– MrJM
- JoanP - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:06 pm:
Nope.
I don’t follow sports, other than needing to know when to avoid Wrigleyville, or Lake Shore Drive near Soldier Field, and I don’t gamble, it just holds no interest for me.
- XonXoff - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:09 pm:
No. Not much into gambling/betting aside from a trip to Vegas every decade or so.
- LoyalVirus - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:13 pm:
Yep, but not huge amounts & not in any formal kind of way cuz it is fun, distracting, and a good way to learn new trash talk & gifs from my competitors. Squares/boxes, fantasy football, fantasy other sports, the Oscars, Westminster Dog Show, etc. And no one asked, but I don’t care if it’s legal now Pete Rose should not be in the Hall of Fame.
- High Times Low Standards - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:15 pm:
Nope. It ain’t right.
- Lake Effect - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:16 pm:
I was able to book two bets today. I got 10-1 odds that Klobuchar finishes 2nd or better tonight, and 6-1 odds that she finishes 3rd or better. is that sports betting?
- zatoichi - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:25 pm:
No. Follow sports just enough to keep conversations going. Sports betting simply holds no appeal.
- Collinsville Kevin - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:30 pm:
The only sport I wager on is horse racing.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:32 pm:
Do I wager on sports?
I have, yes, I actually get into this “Masters Calcutta“ picking the winner of the Masters golf tournament, but in the Calcutta bidding way with others. One example. The NCAA basketball tourney, “bracketology” another example.
Use to bet with - Arthur Andersen - on the Cubs-Cards records, “cannoli only”…
To the actual gambling, I’ve bet in Vegas, I’ll bet probably once Illinois figures it’s own sport book…
It’s recreational. I’m not making a living or ruining my life with it, but it’s fun to have something riding on sports.
I also miss - Arthur Andersen -, our bet… as this baseball season begins again.
- Pelonski - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:35 pm:
No, I’m not willing to lose enough to make the winning exciting.
- West Side the Best Side - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:36 pm:
Many years ago I bar I used to frequent had pull tabs where you could end up paying 10¢, (okay, many, many years ago), half price or full price for your beer, but otherwise my thought on getting and gambling is a fool and his money are soon parted.
- Generic Drone - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:36 pm:
Yes for all the reasons 4th ward already stated.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:38 pm:
If buying a square on the score grid at the office counts, then yes, but otherwise, no. Aside from an occasional lottery ticket, I don’t gamble.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:44 pm:
No. Better things to spend my money on.
- Flapdoodle - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:47 pm:
Nope. I’ve plenty of better ways to throw my money away.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 11, 20 @ 4:51 pm:
No. Not a gambler.