Willie Mays casino premium?

[Mookie41]

Anyone know how and when this was issued? The autograph seems like a print but the way it smeared makes me think it’s live ink
Would appreciate some info

047FDD1D-5557-4896-8872-60DF11ABC3D0.jpg

His jacket emblem is Ballys Park Place, maybe in conjunction with the casino chips from Atlantic City, mid 80's to 1990?, My Dad got these chips from Atantic City Ballys Park Place Casino for me. I did a little more research, Willie signed a 10 year contract in 1980 with Ballys Park Place Atlantic City

[Casey2296]

Those chips are a nice Mays Collectible.

It's interesting that Mays was kicked out of baseball by then commissioner Kuhn for his association with Bally's, Kuhn also banned team owners from owning any Casino stocks.

Far cry from today where Baseball and the current commissioner embrace and promote gambling to fans of all ages.

[deweyinthehall]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Those chips are a nice Mays Collectible.

It's interesting that Mays was kicked out of baseball by then commissioner Kuhn for his association with Bally's, Kuhn also banned team owners from owning any Casino stocks.

Far cry from today where Baseball and the current commissioner embrace and promote gambling to fans of all ages.

I'm not sure Mays' punishment was appropriate, but I do believe that a day is coming where MLB as well as the other leagues rue their enthusiastic endorsement of gambling, both off the field AND on.

[moeson]

Originally Posted by Mookie41

Anyone know how and when this was issued? The autograph seems like a print but the way it smeared makes me think it’s live ink
Would appreciate some info

Attachment 583296

I have this photo in color and B&W, both with live ink. My B&W does not have "best wishes". My late father obtained these in Atlantic City when both Mays and Mantle served as Casino Ambassadors and got banned by Bowie Kuhn in 1979.

[Elberson]

I remember back in the late 80’s and early 90’s they would have a few baseball card shows pop up ( I believe ballys, showboat and Tropicana) I have a mays $5 chip from 96 as well

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by deweyinthehall

I'm not sure Mays' punishment was appropriate, but I do believe that a day is coming where MLB as well as the other leagues rue their enthusiastic endorsement of gambling, both off the field AND on.

Not pish-poshing it, but I see no scenario possible in which a casino partnership could cause them to rue the day.

This is not the early 19th century or even the 80's with player salaries. There is no theoretical situation in which a corporate casino could pay to disrupt an event and make it both unknown and additionally financially worth a star-players time in todays salaries to risk a career.

The only possibility would be a player owing millions to organized crime due to some addiction and tweaking a game for the mob to clear a debt which sounds like a bad movie plot (or if you believe like I do, the reason Michael Jordan retired the first time). That situation would have nothing to do with MLB letting a casino advertise.

MGM Resorts has been the "Official Gaming Partner of Major League Baseball" since 2018. Even though Bowie Kuhn is rolling his incredibly annoying self around in his grave, there has been nothing of note with the partnership. Other than profits that is.