BetBash Conference Has Something For Bettors Of All Abilities

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

When BetBash was first held in 2021, just outside of New York in Jersey City, N.J., there were plenty of sharp bettors on hand. But long-term, it was never Gadoon Kyrollos' strategy to have the conference cater exclusively to the wiseguys.

Rather, the BetBash founder – better known in the sports betting world as Spanky – wanted the now annual event to educate bettors of all experience levels, from newbies to the sharpest of the sharp.

As BetBash 5 approaches, running from Aug. 12-15 at Circa Las Vegas, Kyrollos has delivered on that strategy, and bettors have responded in growing numbers each year.

BetBash 5

Getting An Education

BetBash 5 marks the fourth consecutive year that the event is being held in Las Vegas. It's also the third straight year for BetBash at Circa Las Vegas, the flashy Fremont Street property owned by sports betting aficionado Derek Stevens.

In 2024, BetBash featured 24 seminars, six live podcasts and a bundle of panels for more than 600 conference goers. And one of the most well-attended sessions catered to the novice bettors.

"Ninety people showed up to Sports Betting 101 last year. I was worried there wouldn't be anybody in the room," Kyrollos said. "That shows you how many people want to learn or freshen up on sports betting. You think BetBash is all experts. But it's not."

BetBash 2025 is set up similarly to 2024, with 24 seminars and six podcasts across two days, Aug. 13-14. Then come the expert panels on Aug. 15. While there's certainly a lot of high-level betting discussion, there are also plenty of opportunities to learn for bettors of all experience levels.

"Most people who first go into sports betting usually get slaughtered. There's a steep learning curve to not just winning, but learning how to lose less," Kyrollos said. "BetBash helps to accelerate that learning process.

"The range of people at BetBash is from the true novice to the consummate professional, and everybody in between. You can learn from others and teach others. That's what it's all about."

Repeat Customers

The cost to attend BetBash ranges from the $699 general admission pass to the $1,549 Ultimate VIP pass. For the more budget-conscious, the GA pass has more than enough options, including:

• Access to all seminars/expert panels
• Speed networking session
• Four open-bar networking events

Holding the event at Circa Las Vegas, home of the wildly popular Circa Survivor and Circa Million NFL picks contests, helps give BetBash even more gravitas. Kyrollos' stats indicate a high retention rate for attendees, regardless of ticket level purchased.

"The reason why we have a 95% return rate is that people love BetBash and always want to come back," he said. "The variety is a big. We have math experts and sport-specific seminars. We have a general networking seminar with our speed networking lead Mike Slater, just to teach people how to network.

"We even have a session with mind coach Elliot Roe, who advises sports bettors and poker players. He gets into the mindset of accepting losses. You can't be a good winner if you don't know how to be a good loser."

Those examples barely scratch the surface of everything on the BetBash 5 agenda.

"The list goes on and on," Kyrollos said, adding he hand-selects all the seminars, much of it based on the progression of a sports bettor. "If I'm just starting out, what do I want see? Then what do I want to see one year in or five years in, or right now?

"I think of what a person needs to know and learn in their sports betting life cycle. Math nerds are upset because I don't have 30 math classes. But you've got to put that variety into it."

Such variety is why BetBash 5 is expecting to attract 700 attendees this year. Another factor for increased attendance: The conference specifically pinpoints the sports bettor, unlike events such as the Global Gaming Expo, SBC Americas Summit or the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.

"We need this event. No other conference like this exists, for the consumers, the customers, the players," Kyrollos said. "That retention rate is just incredible. It's amazing how much love we're shown and the thirst for this kind of event."

Sports Gambling Hall of Fame

BetBash 5 marks the third year of inductions into the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame. The 2025 class has six inductees:

• Spiros "The Greek" Athanas, a revolutionary bookmaker in the global market.
• George "Skip" Chonoplis, another highly respected and innovative bookmaker in the global market.
• Leo Hirschfield (posthumous), referred to as the Father of Lines, whose work laid the foundation for modern sports betting practices.
• Eugene Nolan (posthumous), successful bettor and bookmaker, as well as a respected sports betting educator.
• Paris Smith, an industry leader the past 30 years, including an 18-year stint as CEO of Pinnacle.
• Jeff Whitelaw, pro bettor and elite handicapper, renowned for his expertise in futures and proposition wagers, and as a pioneer in first-half and second-half betting during its early development.

"One of our seminars will feature the new Hall of Famers, and one will feature past Hall of Famers," Kyrollos said. "We have to honor the history of sports betting and the people who paved the way for us."

For tickets or more information on BetBash 5, go to betbash.co.

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson