FBI agent leaks info in Billy Walters case; UNC-Kentucky game draws NFL-like handle

Twice weekly, we’ll comb through as many articles, tweets and podcasts as we can find related to the world of sports betting and daily fantasy sports, and publish the good stuff here. 

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Information about the federal investigation involving Phil Mickelson and Billy Walters was leaked by an FBI agent to the media.

An FBI agent leaked confidential information to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times while investigating golfer Phil Mickelson and businessman and renowned sports bettor Billy Walters over allegations of insider trading, according to a letter filed by the Department of Justice on Friday in federal court.

In the filing, the government reveals that an agent “admitted that he was a significant source of confidential information leaked to reporters at the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times about the underlying investigation.”

“The agent further admitted that, prior to his Dec. 6 interview, he had hidden those communications with the press from both the USAO and others within the FBI,” the letter, submitted by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, states. “Based upon the agent’s admissions, which the USAO and the FBI regard with the utmost seriousness, it is now an incontrovertible fact that there were FBI leaks of confidential information to the press regarding this investigation.”

The disclosure of confidential information could be a violation of criminal procedure. The matter has been referred to the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Justice, and the FBI has reported the agent to its Office of Professional Responsibility, according to the letter.


A college basketball game in Las Vegas between Kentucky and North Carolina attracted a bigger handle than many NFL games at local sportsbooks.

Jason Simbal, vice president of sportsbook operator CG Technology, said only the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets and two bowl games, including the Las Vegas Bowl between Houston and San Diego State, generated more betting handle than Kentucky-North Carolina on Saturday.

“We did more money on that than any NBA [game],” Simbal said. “It was a really, really heavily bet game for us.”


Vegas sportsbooks had another losing weekend.

“Let’s just say the afternoon was less than ideal,” a sportsbook manager for Caesars Palace said. “Everyone and their cousin had the Pats and the Raiders today. Not a good afternoon for us.”

The winless Cleveland Browns and the 1-13 San Francisco 49ers have been a thorn in the books’ sides. The Browns and 49ers are a combined 4-23-1 against the spread. Bettors have caught on and, on a weekly basis, Browns and 49ers opponents can be found on the bulk of parlay cards.

“I think we’ve lost money on parlays like four or five Sundays in a row, which is just hard to believe,” Simbal said. “That normally happens three times in a season.”


Covers did a recap of Las Vegas sportsbook renovations that happened in 2016.

This has been a banner year for sports bettors in Las Vegas. It almost feels as if every casino has a new sportsbook. No less than ten casinos renovated their sportsbook this year and they came in all shapes and sizes.

Casino Royale finally has a sportsbook. Well, it’s not quite a sportsbook. The casino has a William Hill ticket writer and sports betting kiosk at their new sports bar. Down the Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace finally upgraded their viewing experience with a great new display that might be the best on the Vegas Strip. CG Technology moved their book at the Cosmopolitan to the main floor and it doubled in size. It’s still not huge but the inclusion of billiards tables, blackjack, video poker and and other games make this one of the best sports bar and casino combinations in Las Vegas.