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Smoking now banned at the Westgate sports book

Sports bettors are known for blowing smoke when it comes to exaggerating wins and downplaying losses. But blowing smoke is not permitted at the Westgate anymore.

The hotel-casino recently announced a smoke-free policy in its sports book. Smoking will be allowed in designated areas only, specifically at the sports book bar and further back in the area of slot machines. During the NCAA Tournament games Thursday, a handful of guys were lingering outside the front doors and smoking cigarettes near the parking lot.

“We were expecting to get a lot of flack about it,” Westgate sports book director Jay Kornegay said. “But even the smokers said, ‘No problem, we’ll go in the back or go outside.’”

Of course, there’s always a complainer.

“One guy was upset about it. Everyone else was fine,” Kornegay said, laughing. “Literally, one guy. He said, ‘You suck, Kornegay.’”

The part about exaggerating wins and downplaying losses never will die.

Contact sports betting columnist Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247

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