The University of Nevada-Las Vegas has started an oral-history initiative to document the experiences of 10 Nevada bookmakers, aiming to preserve the legacy of traditional sports betting as the industry evolves
The University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) has announced a new oral-history project focused on capturing the stories of 10 Nevada bookmakers. This initiative, led by gaming historian David G. Schwartz and longtime casino executive Richard Schuetz, aims to document the personal experiences and perspectives of key figures in Nevada’s sports betting industry. The project comes at a time when traditional bookmaking is rapidly changing, with automation and online betting reshaping the landscape.
Project Details and Leadership
The oral-history project was officially announced by UNLV on August 10. Schwartz, known for his work chronicling gambling history, and Schuetz, a former casino executive and regulator, will conduct in-depth interviews with bookmakers who have played significant roles in Nevada’s sports betting scene. The selection of the 10 bookmakers will be made by Schwartz and Schuetz, with input from an advisory committee that has not yet been named. The project is financially supported by veteran oddsmaker Michael “Roxy” Roxborough, who previously supplied odds to most Nevada casinos through his Las Vegas Sports Consultants service.
Preserving a Changing Industry
The motivation behind the project is to preserve the unique culture and history of Nevada sports betting before it fades. Schuetz, who recently returned to Nevada, noted that little has been done to formally document the stories of bookmakers who shaped the industry. Both Schwartz and Schuetz believe that oral histories offer a more candid and nuanced record than traditional memoirs, especially as the industry moves toward increased automation and online operations. The interviews will explore not only the business side of bookmaking but also the personal stories and challenges faced by those who operated in a regulatory environment that has evolved significantly over the decades.
Access and Timeline
Once completed, the interviews will be transcribed and made available to the public through UNLV’s website. The university plans to release each bookmaker’s oral history individually as it is finalized, with the goal of making all 10 available within a year. Bookmakers who participate will have the opportunity to review their transcripts and withhold sensitive information if they choose. The project is designed to provide researchers, regulators, and the public with a deeper understanding of how Nevada’s sports betting market developed and how it continues to change in the face of new technology and regulatory models.
Oral histories are a research method that involves recording and preserving firsthand accounts from individuals who have direct experience with a particular subject or industry. In the context of gambling, these narratives can reveal details about regulatory changes, operational practices, and cultural shifts that are not always captured in official documents or news reports. For Nevada’s sports betting market, oral histories help bridge the gap between the early days of manual bookmaking and today’s highly automated, regulated environment, offering valuable context for understanding how the industry has adapted over time.
