Brent Musberger Doubts Veracity of RJ Bell’s $14M Mystery World Series Bettor Tale

Posted on: November 8, 2017, 03:00h. 

Last updated on: November 8, 2017, 11:30h.

Casino.org Staff Writer Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming.

It was a run of luck that seemed impossible and now some are questioning whether the mystery man who reportedly made $14 million betting on the World Series actually exists.

R.J. Bell
R.J. Bell, who has a sports gambling information site and provides odds for Associated Press was the author of the story about the mystery gambler who reportedly won $14 million on the World Series. (Image: Twitter)

The person who wrote about the anonymous gambler insists that he is real despite the criticism.

R.J. Bell, who provides odds for the Associated Press, first reported the story Nov. 1 and this week stood by his account despite people publically doubting it. He put out a post on his Twitter account defending his narrative.

“I understand that these new viewers/followers don’t know me — don’t know yet how much effort I put into being different than the typical Vegas guy,” he wrote. “Veteran followers know that I don’t float rumors for attention.”

Several Doubters

But former broadcaster Brent Musburger, who retired last year and has started working with Vegas Stats & Information Network at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, has serious reservations about the account. He posted on his Twitter account that Bell was a “bulls—tter” and that led to a nasty back and forth between the two on the social media platform.

What has led to the inquiries is the vagueness of the man who reportedly picked the first six games of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros correctly. He parlayed an initial $500,000 bet into $14 million. Bell wrote that he was younger than 30 and Eastern European in origin.

All of his sources were unnamed, but Bell has stood by them. He said in a tweet that it was “100 percent” true and claimed that he talked to people that had met the man. “It’s impossible that this isn’t true.”

Casinopedia reporter Kathryn Allison was another that was skeptical about the tale.

“Bell has not provided evidence,” she wrote, “but his stance appears more to be about stating that no evidence has been provided to disprove it.”

Supporters Answer the Bell

The story was picked up by several media outlets including Sports Illustrated, who nicknamed the bettor “Sir Let it Ride.” They used Bell as the source for the saga.

While some now have reservations about the validity of the mystery bettor David Purdum, who writes about gambling for ESPN.com, said his investigation showed the man did exist, though the $14 million amount might be a little high.

Purdum wrote that Sportsbook operator CG Technology, MGM Resorts, South Point, Station Casinos, Westgate SuperBook, William Hill and Wynn each reported taking large bets from the same bettor, referred to by some as “Bettor X.”

Two sportsbook executives corroborated Bell’s story saying the man came in and made wagers with them. Johnny Avello, executive director of the Wynn race and sports, told ESPN the man made large bets at his venue. He marveled at his streak.

“I remember guys going on runs before,” Avello said, “but not to this extent.”