The darkest day in the bright history of Las Vegas will be remembered today on the one-year anniversary of the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history.
Credit Las Vegas residents for supporting one another while mourning the 58 who died, nursing the 851 who were injured and rallying behind the thousands who escaped the tragic night without physical harm, albeit plenty of mental scars.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department recently closed its investigation without attaching a motive to deranged 64-year-old shooter Stephen Paddock, a high-stakes gambler who was given a complimentary suite on the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay.
Paddock was armed with 23 rifles and no conscience.
He shot indiscriminately into a country music crowd assembled at Las Vegas Village, a concert site located diagonally across from the classy hotel, before eventually turning the gun on himself.
The attack lasted only 10 minutes but caused a lifetime of harm.
While there are many questions surrounding law enforcement's actions in the hours following the shooting, there is no question as to the terrific response from the people responsible for marketing the city.
Shorty after the tragedy, the mainstream media's characterization of a "Las Vegas Massacre" changed to "One October," a title which sounds more like a friendly festival than a mass slaughter.
Las Vegas knows how to control media messaging and carries significant influence on news organizations, thanks to a massive advertising budget.
And now here's one more idea for the brand managers at MGM Mirage: Change the name of Mandalay Bay.
The powers-that-be recently renamed the old Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino to Park MGM and a second name change seems to be in order.
HIGH ROLLER...Call him "The Columbus Beast."
He's a high-stakes sports bettor from Ohio who frequently visits Las Vegas with bundles of cash to make large money-line wagers at CG Technology.
Why CG Tech?
They're one of the few sports book operators in Nevada willing to take high-end action.
Inside sources reveal "The Columbus Beast" is one of the largest sports bettors in the company's history, ranked third behind only Kirk Kerkorian and Floyd Mayweather.
"The Beast" is an unassuming sort who wears t-shirts and jeans and flashes no sign of his impressive bankroll.
Though he doesn't enjoy the fame or fortune of a casino owner or boxing superstar, he earns an impressive salary by trading energy stocks.
His gambling style is simple: He likes to bet a lot to win a little.
He usually reserves the penthouse suite at both the Tropicana and Hard Rock Hotels and then, depending on his mood, decides which casino to visit.
Last Saturday, he risked nearly a half-million dollars ($480,000) on Michigan to defeat Northwestern at odds of 1/8 or -800.
The Wolverines were more than a two-touchdown favorite but "The Beast" was asking them to merely win the game.
Turns out, Chicago's Big Ten team nearly pulled off the upset.
"The Beast" did not look good after Northwestern opened up a 17-0 lead in the second quarter.
At that point, win probability models gave the Wildcats a 75% chance to win the game.
But favored Michigan rattled off 20 unanswered points to survive the upset bid and reward "The Beast" a hard-earned $60,000.
On a sidenote, I credit CG Technology for taking advantage of its gaming license and welcoming large players.
Only one problem: The company's mismanagement makes it impossible for their business model to continue.
A reliable source inside the Nevada Gaming Control Board assigns CG Technology less than a 50-50 chance to make it to another football season.
ON THE MOVE....Nothing official yet but John Avello of Wynn Las Vegas and Ed Malinowski at The Stratosphere are considering handsome offers from DraftKings.
Look for both men to announce address changes in the coming month.
And here's a quick story from The Strat: Business is off approximately 50% while the book remodels its first-floor location.
The temporary sports book is located on the second floor of the property, a floor which is restricted from using union help.
Therefore, the sports book must operate without cocktail service, another reason the handle is depressed.
TECH ISSUES...EOG is not the only entity battling computer software issues.
William Hill's company-wide kiosks were down yesterday morning in the hours leading up the all-important Sunday morning NFL kickoff.
When clerks at the various outlets called the usual hotline for help with the kiosks, some were connected to an office more than 2,500 miles away.
One Las Vegas ticket writer was greeted with a voice saying, "William Hill, New Jersey."
A classic example of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.
One of William Hill's top clerks, Steve Schein, is headed inside William Hill headquarters to serve as one of the company's live traders.
This Sunday will be Schein's final day accepting wagers after a 14-year career, eight with Leroy's and six with William Hill.
Schein, who currently serves as the sports book manager at Hooter's, sees over-the-counter business tailing off in recent years with popular mobile apps now taking over.
Schein fondly remembered one day at the former Fitzgerald's, now the D Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, where a sharp gambler came to the window and bet three football games for $3.000 apiece..
The gambler was wearing a ballcap low on his head hiding wild, curly hair which almost looked like a wig.
He bet an NFL game, a CFL game and an Arena Football League game.
"I rarely bet but this time, for some reason, I went over to the Fremont and made a $50 three-teamer," relayed Schein.
"Would you believe, it was the easiest money I ever won. All three games won easily and the final game was the Buffalo Bills at home over the San Diego Chargers."
And about the disguised gambler who bet three dimes on three games?
Schein said, "It sure sounded a lot like Fezzik."
