Sports betting and legal gambling have been a hot topic in the States for a while now. The headlines are coloured continuously in flavours of how much which states have generated in revenue from sports betting and why which state is slow in moving forward. Mind-boggling numbers are printed, and it is often hard to fathom the amounts of money which is generated through this activity. Something which is even more mind-boggling than that is the extraordinary and bizarre topics on which people can place their legal wagers.

Betting on UFO’s

The possibility of life beyond earth has always been an intriguing question to many — the theme of silver screen scripts and blockbuster movies and now a moneymaking machine for bookmakers too. Punters can place their bets on when they think extra-terrestrial life will be found or when will they revisit earth. Even though the thought that we are not alone might still be a laughing matter to many, the people who are doing the hysterical laughter, are the bookmakers who have discovered a great source of income.

Armageddon

If the idea of betting on UFO’s were considered to be ludicrous, then wait for this. Plenty of forecasts have been made throughout history regarding when the earth will finally come to an end. This will happen according to conspiracy theorists when Planet X bashes into the soil and crush us with brutal force.

Punters can place their bets on which country on earth will receive the most significant impact when this happens. Currently, Australia is at the top of the ranking with 17/10 with the United Stated following in pursuit at 10/3. Before rushing off to your nearest bookmaker to place your wager, it might be advisable to arrange an alternative planet for future accommodation to be able to spend your winnings at, since the one you call home has just been obliterated.

Wagering on Death

A slightly sick, but accurate betting market opened up in Taiwan. You can place your bet on the life expectancy of sick people in the hospital. The odds are as following if the person dies within a month the bookmaker is at the winning end, but if the patient survives anything from more than a month up to six, punters will be entitled to three times the amount of the bet they placed.

Betting Can Be Done on Almost Everything

When the imagination has no limitations, wagers can be based on almost everything as long as that you can find a bookmaker willing to take you on. Some of the favourites over recent times are which political candidates will win, which movies will win Oscars, what Kanye and Kim’s future baby names would be and who the next Pope would be. An event of recent history which had the bookmakers running wild was the latest Royal Wedding. Wagers have been placed on whether Harry and Meghan will tie the knot and if so, whether he will be re-casted as Mike Ross in Suits. Once again, imagination has no limitations.

NFL season is a big deal and a significant part of the authentic American culture. Every team has a band of supporters who will back them through greatness and misery. These are the fanatics, the ones whose loyalty will never fail, and the ones who are willing to put their wagers where their hearts lie placing their sports bets again and again on the ones they want to win. These groups have their unique hangouts where they prefer to pull together, united as one. Let’s explore some of the places where these crowds gather.

Baltimore Ravens

Located locally in the heart of Baltimore’s Federal Hill, is the favourite watering hole of Ravens fans. The décor is unmistakeable Raven, including goalposts, a purple patio and floor reflecting the healthy football inspiration which makes Mother’s Federal come alive during Ravens games. If you want to be seated, then be there early while you sip away on a purple crush cocktail served in a Baltimore Ravens pint glass.

Buffalo Bills

Big on the Bills? Then flock to where the big screens are taken care of. The 38-foot screen in the bar makes it impossible to miss any detail of the Bills action. In case that doesn’t suffice to your visual needs, the bar also portrays another 69 smaller screens, to be sure. For a true Buffalo feeling fans can quench their thirsts with beer from some of the many local breweries.

Carolina Panthers

Ales is the perfect place to be taken care of if you consider yourself an emotional eater during any sporting activity. This comfortable and cosy venue is, however, a Carolina Panther fan favourite. They offer more than six different dipping options for either tortillas chips or French fries. Plenty of goodness to keep you nibbling away. 120 Different craft beers of which 70 are available on draft, this is the claim to fame of the Chicago Bears’ favourite spot. Whether you want to catch a game, quench a first or chow on some weekend grub, the Boundary is your place to go.

Knockback Nat’s

The devotion and loyalty of this pub’s patrons and owners are astounding. Not only delivering on dependable Bengal support but also serving a kind of comfort in the form of free wings during every game that the Cincinnati Bengals play out of town.

STATS Brewpub

Just down the road of the Falcons stadium, the STATS Brewpub is true to its name. Here fans have access to an iPad at every table. Why would that be, you may ask. Well, to stay up to date with every bit of commentary and statistics published on the Bleacher Report. And to summons some more food and drinks to their tables of course.

The biggest high roller in the world or as many refer to him as the Suitcase man, William Lee Bergstrom was born in Texas in 1951. Many names, including the phantom gambler, knew the player and he remains the biggest spender in the history of gambling. 
 
Bergstrom passed away in 1985, during his gambling at the Horseshoe Casino in 1981 his winnings was worth $2.3 million. In 1984, three years later he returned to the Horseshoe Casino and placed a few bets, which included a single chance worth $1 million equal to around $2.42 million in terms of present-day value, that bet he lost. The Suitcase man also placed other bets although the $2,42 remains the biggest bet ever placed at a land-based casino. 

Texas Tech University Student Becomes the Suitcase Gambler

The man that would become the Phantom Gambler was born in Texas and graduated from the Austin High School in 1969. He then enrolled to major in electrical engineering in Lubbock at the Texas Tech University. He became a private pilot instead, and in the Spring of 1971, his parents divorced. Not much of his life is known from 1971 to the 24th of September 1980 when he arrives at in Las Vegas; He turns up at the Horseshoe Casino with two suitcases one empty and the other holding $777,000 in cash. It was the casino of Benny Binion, who had a policy for many years and that was to honour any size bet as long as it is the players very first bet at the casino.
 
The gambler from Texas remained anonymous at the time and placed a single bet to the value of all the cash in his suitcase, he bet on dice and won. Binion came to congratulate the man and assisted him in getting the winnings into his empty bag, he walked out and disappeared.

The Phantom Gambler is Back

Three and half years pass and no one ever seen or heard a word from the Phantom Gambler. It all changed when he walked into a casino on the 24th of March 1984 to place a single bet worth $538,000 on a single dice roll. Again he won, and with his winnings, he booked his mother a seat at the Willie Nelson show. He returned and earned $117,000 more when he placed bets on three craps games.
 
Again he left and on the 16th of November he returned with a suitcase and placed a bet worth $1 million made up of $550,000 in cash packed in the briefcase, The rest of the chance was paid for via Krugerrands and a cashiers cheque worth $310,000. He lost and never recovered, he took his own life on the 4th of February 1985.

You’ve placed your bets on the next sports event, and you can’t wait to see if your team will give you the winning profit you expect. This warrants that you watch the game on a big screen with a draft beer in your hand. If you happen to be in Kansas City, you have plenty of options in excellent sports bars and restaurants.

The Well

Sit on the upper deck when the weather allows you to or the patio to enjoy a cigar with your beer on tap. The indoor pub is packed with booths and tables, and this lively place is always filled with friendly locals enjoying wine, craft beer and cocktails. Several big screens are turned to the game, which means you can socialize, cheer for your team and enjoy an upscale meal. The favourite dishes on the menu includes Creole Shrimp po’boys, Baja Fish Tacos, Sliders, Smoked Brisket Sandwiches and Tequila-lime Smoked Chicken Quesadillas.

Bogey’s Windy City Pub Specials Events

When you want to watch the game in Chicago style in Kansas City, you go to Bogy’s Windy City Pub. It’s the place where you can watch the game on multiple big screens and enjoy a cold one with other sports fanatics. Happy Hour is every weekday from 4 pm up to 6 pm. Great food and drinking events include the Happy Hour when you can enjoy Appetizers and drinks at discounted prices. The Sunday Brunch at Bogey’s Windy City Pub is delicious and include French toast, eggs benedict. At the same time, you can enjoy Bloody Mary’s and Screwdrivers at exceptional prices. The Sunday Brunch special is available from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.

Bogey’s Windy City Pub Desserts

Bogey’s Windy City Pub also offers a large selection of amazing fresh-baked desserts and home-made cakes to add a sweet taste to your sports betting winnings. Depending on how big your profit is, you could easily match it with the chocolate goodness topped with ice-cream from the Molton Lava cake. If you win a lot more than you expected you might want to treat your whole table to some Korbel Sparkling or raspberry and strawberry lemonade. When you enjoyed quite the celebration meal and dessert, you will love the coffee served at Bogey’s Windy City Pub. The coffee menu at this trendy neighbourhood sports bar and restaurant include special teas such as Hot Tea and China Mist Iced Tea. Brilliant meal enders also include Hot Chocolate and Caribou Coffee.

More Fine Sports Pub

Apart from the two pubs discussed above, other great sports pubs in Kansas City includes The Brookside Sports Bar & Grill. Other pubs well worth a visit for sports fans and everyone else is the Kansas City Live as well as the Coach’s Bar, Chappell’s, The Granfalloon, The Blue Line Sports Bar and Grill.