Aug.20.15. Prolific author and sports historian talks to NPYB
Reno, Nevada–Today we were honored to interview celebrated historian, author and professor emeritus Dr. Richard Davies for our documentary. With 16 books to his credit (author/editor/co-editor), multiple professional awards and countless published articles, Professor Davies is the nation’s foremost historian on American sports, particularly sports gambling. In fact, his book “Betting the Line: Sports Wagering in American Life” remains the most authoritative account of the topic up to 2001, its year of publication. Professor Davies was also featured in the ESPN documentary “30 for 30: The Legend of Jimmy The Greek” produced in 2009 and available for viewing on Netflix.
Our interview covered a lot of ground on the rise of sports and gambling in American culture since the earliest settlements, the growth of Las Vegas, the transformation of sports betting venues from basic storefronts into main casino features, and America’s rollercoaster love-hate fascination with gambling. It was the lengthiest and most substantial interview we’ve done to date, and Professor Davies took all of our questions in stride and with utmost grace. His insights and extensive knowledge are a must-see for everyone!
Sep. 22.14. Mob Museum
I visited the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas to take notes on the history of mob activities in Las Vegas, including their foray into sports gambling. I took note of the tons of photos and displays inside the museum
Sep. 17.14. Proposal
This was my first meeting with Mr. Dennis Tobler at his Las Vegas residence. He asked me to consider the prospect of directing a documentary on the history of sports betting in America. I was immediately intrigued by his offer.
Jul.20.16. Horse racing at Del Mar
Long before sports betting drew national interest with the growth in popularity of the professional sports leagues, people had for decades eagerly flocked to race tracks across the country to lay their bets on horse races. This national pastime has played a pivotal
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