Vegas books taking wait-and-see approach after ‘Deflategate’ report
When the “Deflategate” report came out on Wednesday morning, fans immediately took sides on what it all meant.
Las Vegas sports books have mostly decided on a more wait-and-see approach.
Several books decided to take New England’s season-opening home game against Pittsburgh off the betting board until a decision on whether quarterback Tom Brady will be suspended for his role in the scandal has been made.
“We took down NFL Week 1 game with the Patriots hosting the Steelers,” Westgate Las Vegas sports book assistant manager Jeff Sherman posted on Twitter. “AFC East odds, NE reg season win total and games of year still up.”
William Hill sports books took a similar stance, suspending wagering on the Week 1 game and all future bets on which team will win the AFC East.
“Obviously, we’re waiting on (NFL commissioner Roger) Goodell to make an announcement,” the company’s Director of Trading said. “Customers can still bet on the Patriots to win the AFC and Super Bowl. Those odds won’t change unless the NFL dishes out punishment.”
Customers can still bet the Patriots as a 5-to-2 favorite to repeat as AFC champions. New England is also a 7-to-1 favorite to win the Super Bowl.
Most Las Vegas books had the Patriots posted as 6- or 6½-point favorites in the game before the news broke on Wednesday.
CG Technology sports books made the most drastic move on Wednesday, adjusting the number to make the Patriots a 3½-point favorite.
That number is available for wagering as of Wednesday evening.
Should the decision be made to suspend Brady, the number could change very quickly.
Sherman and Jay Kornegay, the Westgate sports book director, said the line with Jimmy Garoppolo as the starting quarterback instead of Brady would be pick’em.
Kornegay offered a caveat.
“It’s a backup with little experience. It would be a pick’em game,” Kornegay said. “Unless Garoppolo gets to use under-inflated balls. Then the Patriots would be (a 2-point favorite).”
The Patriots host the Steelers on Sept. 10.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.
