It’s often said that when you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work. Perhaps that’s why the passage of time hasn’t fazed Johnny Avello in his three-plus decades behind the counter in the sportsbook business.
“I’ve always enjoyed what I’m doing, enjoyed the business, and I love what I do,” Avello told Covers. “I don’t think I’ve looked at a clock or my watch to see what time it is, and I’ve been doing this for 35 years.”
Avello, 64, has not only aged well, but is staying right with the times in the rapidly evolving sports betting landscape.
The Supreme Court’s May 14 decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 threw open the doors for legal, regulated wagering to expand beyond Nevada’s borders. And Avello is now going beyond the Silver State’s borders, as well.
On Oct. 1, after 13 years as executive director of race and sports at Wynn Las Vegas, Avello left to become director of sportsbook operations for DraftKings.It was an opportunity Avello would never have thought possible prior to the Supreme Court ruling.
“I’m very surprised, first because I didn’t think sports betting throughout the country was gonna happen,” Avello said. “So for me, it’s quite surprising actually.”
It was another big splash for DraftKings, the fantasy sports giant now moving into the sports betting realm. Frank Kunovic previously left his post as a sportsbook executive with Caesars Palace to become director of retail sportsbook operations for the sports betting newcomer, which is currently operating only in New Jersey.
However, Avello won’t be heading back closer to his roots in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Rather, he’ll remain in Las Vegas with Kunovic, and in due time, DraftKings will have a permanent office in Vegas for the company’s sportsbook operation.
That’s because DraftKings isn’t stopping at New Jersey, as six states now have legalized, regulated sports betting, with several other states making moves that direction. Avello is ready to expand, as well.
“You don’t want to get ahead too much, but I’ve got a lot of ideas,” Avello said. “We’ll look at those different states, what’s allowed and what’s not, and see what I can bring to these new places.”
Avello is a huge entertainment buff, so he admitted that in the long term, he’s hoping for opportunities to book things such as the Academy Awards or reality TV shows. And maybe even politics, which never lack for drama in this day and age.
He’s also hoping to get his renowned Kentucky Derby futures book posted in due time. But for now, he’ll be involved in a lot of what he’s long done in this industry, at stops across Las Vegas.
“I’ll be overseeing sportsbook operations around the country, doing media, talking about new things to come, and talking about the matchups each week,” Avello said, noting he’s conversed at length with DraftKings co-founder and chief revenue officer Matt Kalish. “I’ve told him some of my plans, and he’s accepted them with open arms. In due time, it’ll all be coming together.”
Added Kalish, in a news release from DraftKings: “We’re committed to building a world-class sports betting operation by putting together amazing talent with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and Johnny’s arrival brings us one step closer to that goal.”
Avello admitted it was difficult to leave what he called his family at the Wynn.
“What a tremendous property, by far the best Las Vegas has to offer,” Avello said. “I can’t say enough about everybody who works there. Tremendous people. They’ve been great to me, and it’s just a wonderful place to work. In 13 years there, I enjoyed every day. Now, it’s a new opportunity, and I’m looking forward to this.”
So much so that he doesn’t mind being the elder statesman at DraftKings, a company on the cutting edge of sports betting expansion.
“I’m probably one of the oldest guys on the entire team,” Avello said with a laugh. “The young guys will be able to teach me a few things, and I’ll be able to teach them a few things too.”
Patrick Everson is a Las Vegas-based senior writer for Covers. Follow him on Twitter: @Covers_Vegas.
