It takes a brave person to pick up and visit a place where they don’t speak the language, you know? It can be a lot.”īut if sports betting has its own language and gaming culture, Matsko has dedicated his career to becoming a translator and guide for curious newcomers.

“They hear all these gaming terms and think - this is crazy this is a whole other language. “People feel intimidated by sports betting because it’s complicated,” Matsko explained in an interview. Some would-be players ditched the learning curve and wandered away to more familiar pursuits however, for early enthusiasts like Bill Matsko, the game would ultimately become a lifelong passion. Instead, aspiring players had to prepare for their bets by taking in a seminar-length explanation of relevant rules and terms. Unlike typical casino fare like blackjack, poker or roulette, sports gaming rules weren’t easy for newcomers to pick up after a cocktail and some quick thinking. When the American sports betting scene first emerged in the neon vibrancy of 1970s Las Vegas, its community was small - and its devotees enthusiastically engaged in the game.

Seven cedars resort