The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with legendary Las Vegas bookmaker Art Manteris, author (with Matt Birkbeck) of "The Bookie."

For more than four decades, Art helped shape the modern sportsbook while running operations at iconic Las Vegas properties including the Stardust, Caesars, and the Hilton. In this fascinating conversation, he shares why he decided to write "The Bookie" and reflects on a career spent at the center of one of Las Vegas’s most exciting—and closely watched—industries.

Art talks about arriving in Las Vegas before he ever entered the race and sportsbook business, and how once he did, there was no turning back. He discusses the thrill of working in sports betting for more than 43 years, where balancing revenue, compliance, and guest service was essential to running what he calls “pretty well-oiled machines.”

The conversation also explores Nevada’s long-standing model for regulating sports betting, why Art believes federal intervention isn’t the answer, and how legislation such as the Wire Act has unintentionally created complications for the industry. He also explains the steps states can take to responsibly manage sports wagering as technology and mobile betting continue to expand the market—especially among younger bettors.

Along the way, Art shares stories about some of the colorful figures who shaped the world of sports betting, including legendary oddsmaker Roxy Roxborough and famed sports bettor Billy Walters. He also reflects on the challenges of guest service in a high-stakes environment and the evolving relationship between professional sports leagues and the gambling industry.

Packed with insider perspective, Vegas history, and unforgettable characters, this episode offers a rare look inside the world of sportsbooks from one of the men who helped define it.
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Mike E. Winfield on Stand-Up, Gratitude, and Finding His Voice in Las Vegas

In this episode of "Talk About Las Vegas With Ira," Ira sits down with comedian and actor Mike E. Winfield, headlining at the Laugh Factory at Horseshoe Las Vegas March 23–29.

Mike talks about the story behind his “E.”, why so many people think they’re funny—but few are willing to take the stage—and what it really takes to succeed in stand-up comedy. He shares insights from his time on "America's Got Talent," including what audiences don’t see behind the scenes.

The conversation also explores his journey from Baltimore to Hollywood, his passion for stand-up, and the importance of authenticity in his work.

Mike reflects on the comedians who inspired him, how comedy acts as a filter for understanding life, and why aging has made him both a better performer and a more grounded person.

He also talks about performing in Las Vegas, his experience at the Laugh Factory, and why he’s grateful for a career that allows him to travel and connect with audiences—including sharing those experiences with his family.
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Roger Gros on Prediction Markets and the Future of Casinos

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Roger Gros, editor-at-large of "Global Gaming Business" and host of three industry podcasts.

Roger shares his unlikely journey into the gaming world—starting out as a musician before heading to Atlantic City to perform. That trip led him to a job dealing cards at Caesars Atlantic City, a move that eventually launched a decades-long career covering the casino industry as one of its most respected journalists.

In this episode, Roger discusses how dramatically the media landscape has changed over the years and reveals the most surprising transformation he’s witnessed in gaming. He explains the rapid rise of online gaming and sounds the alarm about prediction markets—a new betting-style system where participants don’t place bets but instead “trade” on out-comes.

Roger also talks about protecting the integrity of gaming, the role of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and highlights the often overlooked innovators shaping the modern casino industry.

Along the way, he makes a spirited case that Elvis Presley and Howard Hughes both de-serve a place in the Gaming Hall of Fame.

Now based in Boulder City, Nevada, where he’s lived for the past 20 years, Roger keeps close tabs on the gaming world while producing three podcasts: “The Boulder City Podcast,” “The Gaming Legacy Podcast,” and the “GGB Podcast,” where he interviews both veter-an legends and today’s industry leaders—including his first “Gaming Legacy Podcast” guest, Jack Binion.

He also explains why he prefers recording interviews in person whenever possible—and shares whether he’s optimistic about the future of Las Vegas.
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Inside the Story of Harry Reid’s Rise to Power — With Jon Ralston

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with veteran political journalist Jon Ralston, founder and CEO of The Nevada Independent and author of "The Game Changer: How Harry Reid Remade the Rules and Showed Democrats How to Fight."

In a candid and fascinating conversation, Jon reflects on his complicated, sometimes turbulent relationship with legendary Nevada senator Harry Reid—a political powerhouse who rose from humble beginnings in Searchlight, Nevada to become one of the most in-fluential figures in Washington.

Jon shares why he once doubted Reid could win a Senate seat—describing him as having “no charisma” and “the limpest handshake I ever experienced”—and how Reid’s quiet determination, relentless strategy, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering proved him wrong.

The episode explores Reid’s complex personality, the tension between his private political machinations and his public image, and the moments when Reid pushed back against Jon’s reporting. Jon also recounts how Reid unexpectedly gave him the green light in 2021 to finally write the book he had long wanted to write—granting access to his vast archives at University of Nevada, Reno and sitting for 24 Zoom interviews before his death.

With more than 1,000 boxes of records and 12 million digital files, Jon uncovered surprising material—including FBI files on Reid—and insights into the senator’s rise, his strategic brilliance, and his determination to make Nevada a national political force.
Jon also discusses Reid’s mentorship under former Nevada governor Mike O'Callaghan, his role in passing the Affordable Care Act, and why Reid believed that Democrats needed to learn how to fight politically—both in Nevada and across the country.

The result is a nuanced portrait of an “incredibly complex guy” whose influence reshaped American politics.
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