If you’re a sports fan, feel free to be jealous of Lamarr Mitchell. No, he never played in the pros, but he decided to do the next best thing—watch sports—and that turned into a career in 1992 when he began working at a sports book. In 2005, he reached his goal of becoming the director of the MGM Grand Race & Sports Book.
He watches sports almost every day—all types of sports, playing on 60 large screens. And the next best thing to watching sports is talking sports. “A lot of things about sports is based upon opinion, so one of our favorite sayings is, ‘Put your money where your mouth is,’” he said. “So you get to do simple ribbing, joking with your customers, connecting with them. That’s the thing that makes this job outstanding.”
While he doesn’t make the odds (that comes out of The Mirage’s sports book), as the director, Mitchell oversees all betting in the venue. He’s also in charge of all the events, including those surrounding the NCAA tournament kicking off March 18. “‘If you’re a basketball fan, there’s no better event or better place to be than at MGM’s sports book,” he said. “We see the same people all four days, and by the end they are physically spent, but they know they’ve had a good time.”
Mitchell believes Wichita State, which went undefeated during the regular season, could clinch the championship this year. Disagree? Head over to MGM Grand and, as Mitchell says, “Put your money where your mouth is.”
Full Court Press
Catch all the sports action you can handle, then indulge in spirits at MGM Grand’s Race & Sports Book bar. During March Madness, enjoy the Full Court Press, a mix of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, fresh-squeezed lime juice and rock candy syrup that’s topped with Fever-Tree ginger beer and raspberries. You can sip this cocktail in style by renting out one of the sports book’s SkyBoxes that overlook all the action—and have the most comfortable, oversize recliners.
