GAMBLIN’ GUV
NJ sports betting kicks off with wagers from Murphy
Dateline Oceanport, New Jersey, where sports betting became legal this sunny Thursday morning when Gov. Phil Murphy placed the first bets on …
Oh who are we kidding. We all know I’m one divorce away from becoming a professional (read: degenerate) gambler. Yeah, sure, I headed out to Monmouth Park to witness the opening of the sportsbook as a “journalist,” but really: I was more interested in the action, having never been inside a sportsbook before. I expected bright lights and dancing girls and …
There were a lot of dudes in sweatpants. I mean, that was the overwhelming sartorial theme. But no matter. I was there to bet the under on the Buffalo Bills win total this year and …
That bet wasn’t being offered. OK fine. So maybe I’d take the Texans at 22/1 to win the Super Bowl. They have a great defense, great offense, and a soft schedule. Yeah. That’s the bet …
Except wow, those lines are long and double wow, I’ve got to come back to Monmouth Park to cash the ticket? Eh, I’ll just wait until the whole thing is online in a month.
Speaking of online, had to check my FanDuel U.S. Open lineups and … OK. Near 100-percent exposure to Rory McIlroy wasn’t the play this week. Maybe I should stick with this “journalism” thing …
“I’ve lived in New Jersey my whole life, I’m a big sports guy, I’ve been betting on sports since before I was allowed to and I’m excited I can now do it in my home state,” said Adam Zwickler of Middletown (who, BTW, was wearing a DraftKings hat .… I called him my “spirit animal”).
And what was Zwickler betting on?
“I’m making a hometown bet,” he said. “I’m taking the Giants to win the Super Bowl. I didn’t even look at the odds. I knew I was coming here. Even if they don’t win I’ll have the ticket from day one at Monmouth Park.”
While Zwickler admits the Giants bet is one he’s making with “his heart,” there were plenty of gamblers who were definitely betting with their heads.
“I’m in the sports service business, my website is JoeWizSports.com, and I’m here in a professional manner,” said Joe Wisniewski of Bayonne. “I’m going to make a big bet for $10,000 and I’m going to show people how to win at sports betting. This is a historical day. Almost better than putting a man on the moon.” (As for Joe Wiz’s bets? He liked the San Francisco Giants and the Rockies. Chips, falling, may.)
But of all the people I spoke with, there was one guy I’m really rooting for. So much so he legit changed my rooting interest for the coming NFL season.
“I’ve got the Browns to win the Super Bowl,” said Brian Daly of Tinton Falls, “and she’s got Brazil and the Devils.”
“She” in this story is Daly’s fiance, Monica Guimaraes. The two are getting married in February. If the Browns with the Super Bowl at 75/1, the two will have quite the honeymoon with Daly’s $100 bet.
“That would be a nice win, a very good win,” said Daly. “But we’re just here for fun, just a chance to place a bet.” (For what it’s worth, I think the Browns have a better chance than the Giants to win the Super Bowl this year. I mean, at least the Browns have a quarterback that still has a pulse. Anyway …)
Anyway, my laziness (having to drive back to Monmouth Park if I win) and my impatience (I don’t care for lines) means I didn’t put any money down. I will soon enough, when online sports betting comes around in a month or so.
Until then, I remain … a married journalist.