2007 year in review: Memorable high jinks, happenings and scandals

Sports betting back stateside
To the dismay of technologically savvy gamblers, officials at Pinnacle, a prominent offshore sports book, opted to pull out of the U.S. market in January largely as a result of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Las Vegas sports bettor/quipmeister Jeff Jones wasn't fazed. "There will still be offshore sports betting for Americans," Jones said. "It will just be off the shores of Lake Las Vegas, Lake Mead and Lake Tahoe."

Yet another reason to stick with reliable Caveman Keno
Casinos in Ontario were forced to pull 87 slot machines off the floor because of concerns they were giving off subliminal messages while being played, according to the Toronto Star. The machines - called "Most Wanted," "Sgt. Fritter" and "The Billionaires" - supposedly flashed jackpot symbols, invisible at normal viewing speed but seen when the animation was slowed down, as the screen image was spinning. Regulators thought gamblers could be tricked into playing longer if they subconsciously believed a jackpot was imminent.

Chip Reese: The people's poker pro

David "Chip" Reese, who took on all comers in Las Vegas' biggest cash poker games for more than 30 years, was remembered this week as a gentleman gambler who attained universal respect from his peers even as he reached the top of his cutthroat profession.

His close friend Doyle Brunson said Reese was at the peak of his abilities when he died Tuesday at age 56.

"It's just so sad that he had to go at such an early time in his life," Brunson said. "The man was still in his prime.

"He was probably the best poker player who ever lived. If he wasn't the greatest poker player, then he certainly was the greatest gambler who ever lived."

Betting on Mayweather-Hatton: Why a straight win bet on Floyd Jr. is the best way to play it

Probably the largest four or five sports wagers I've ever made were on Floyd Mayweather Jr. fights, supporting "Little Floyd" each time, of course. If Gabe Kaplan saw the figures on my betting tickets, his eyes would bulge out of his head. With a professional record of 40-0, Mayweather has never let his backers down. There's more than one reason his nickname is "Money."

One Saturday morning earlier this year, Ricky Hatton sat in a small private room at the House of Blues restaurant at Mandalay Bay and, over breakfast, offered a succinct take on Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

"Mayweather is probably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but everybody thinks he's a dick," Hatton said.