Nevada is preparing to welcome a new entrant into the sports betting arena, as the state’s Gaming Commission has given unanimous approval for Boomer’s Sportsbook.
Boomer’s is an independent operator led by Joe Asher, a seasoned veteran in sports betting and racing. Asher is a Gambling Hall of Fame inductee and formerly served as president of Sports Betting for IGT until June 2024.
Asher announced the news on LinkedIn, stating, “We were licensed by the Nevada Gaming Commission today. Opening for business August 1 in Elko at the old Commercial Casino & August 4 at Ellis Island in Las Vegas and Casino Valle Verde in Henderson.”
Boomer’s CEO expressed gratitude for the team’s long efforts to reach this point and enthusiasm for the future.
Garry Ellis, associated with William Hill, owns Casino Valle Verde and Ellis Island Casino.
Boomer’s intends to launch a mobile app, offering Nevada bettors digital access to the only independently run sportsbook in the state.
Commissioners commended Asher’s remarkable career, deeming him a trustworthy figure in sports betting.
“Any Form of Gambling Should Be Regulated”
Asher, founder of Lucky’s Race & Sports Book, which was sold to William Hill in 2012, advocated for regulating prediction markets during the hearing.
“I believe any form of gambling should be regulated,” Asher stated, sharing his personal experience with his father’s gambling problem.
He criticized unregulated gambling as being against public interest, emphasizing state regulation.
Asher questioned the compatibility of predictive markets with state gaming laws, referencing the Supreme Court’s 2018 PASPA ruling, and supported Nevada’s in-person registration for mobile betting.
He also praised updates to Nevada’s horse racing regulations, arguing that outdated licensed disseminator requirements are costly and unnecessary today.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com