Auspice from another post made note of the fact that Billy Walters may be the most influential sports gambling figure in the world today. I do not necessarily agree that Walters is the lone man at the top of the pyramid, but he would certainly be in the top twenty.
Heretofore is a thread which begs the question -- WHO ARE THE TWENTY MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN SPORTS GAMBLING (influence can be through betting/moving lines, public figures, industry insiders, executives, and so forth). I'm sure I will miss a few names, but here are a few candidates that are worthy of mentioning:
-- Joe Lupo (Key Vegas insider, respected industry-wide, still relatively young so he will be a player in years to come)
-- Spiro (one of the big offshores)
-- Bill Walters (big time gambler, moves lines)
-- Billy Baxter (big time Vegas gambler -- not as well-known as Walters, but plays just as high)
-- Michael Roxy (no longer at LVSC -- but deserves mention for his contributions and influence)
-- WSEX Executive (forgot his name -- clearly belongs)
-- Lem Banker (most well-known public figure...doesn't bet as high as Walters and Baxter, but has made his living from sports for 20+ years. That says something)
-- Tony Salinas (good results over the years)
-- Mike Warren (totally negative influence -- a scam artist)
-- Jim Feist (neutral -- good marketer...trying to improve image)
-- Marc Lawrence (public figure -- decent capper for a tout, appears on many radio TV shows)
-- Frank Rosenthal (probably outdated and doesn't belong anymore, but I'll put him here as possible top 20)
-- Mort Olsham (Gold Sheet still widely respected)
-- Mad Jack (now the biggest and best site on the Internet for sports gambling information -- Jack is "a player")
I'm sure I'm missing a few names. Anyone care to add to the list?
Heretofore is a thread which begs the question -- WHO ARE THE TWENTY MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN SPORTS GAMBLING (influence can be through betting/moving lines, public figures, industry insiders, executives, and so forth). I'm sure I will miss a few names, but here are a few candidates that are worthy of mentioning:
-- Joe Lupo (Key Vegas insider, respected industry-wide, still relatively young so he will be a player in years to come)
-- Spiro (one of the big offshores)
-- Bill Walters (big time gambler, moves lines)
-- Billy Baxter (big time Vegas gambler -- not as well-known as Walters, but plays just as high)
-- Michael Roxy (no longer at LVSC -- but deserves mention for his contributions and influence)
-- WSEX Executive (forgot his name -- clearly belongs)
-- Lem Banker (most well-known public figure...doesn't bet as high as Walters and Baxter, but has made his living from sports for 20+ years. That says something)
-- Tony Salinas (good results over the years)
-- Mike Warren (totally negative influence -- a scam artist)
-- Jim Feist (neutral -- good marketer...trying to improve image)
-- Marc Lawrence (public figure -- decent capper for a tout, appears on many radio TV shows)
-- Frank Rosenthal (probably outdated and doesn't belong anymore, but I'll put him here as possible top 20)
-- Mort Olsham (Gold Sheet still widely respected)
-- Mad Jack (now the biggest and best site on the Internet for sports gambling information -- Jack is "a player")
I'm sure I'm missing a few names. Anyone care to add to the list?
