New Betting Hall of Famer Paris Smith Talks Exclusively to Gambling 911
Paris Smith, the longtime CEO of Curaçao-based online sportsbook Pinnacle, earlier this month became the first female inductee into the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.
She said she has worked with Gambling 911 since the early days and remembers when it wasn’t only the authority on sportsbook information but also a strong affiliate for all the offshore books.
Gambling 911 talked to her exclusively after her induction.
Here is a transcript of that interview:
Gambling 911: Congratulations on being named to the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame. What was the induction ceremony like?
Paris Smith: It was great. I had friends, family members and industry colleagues from all over the world there for the induction. All the other living members of the Hall were also there, as were relatives of the deceased members. It was also really nice to see former inductees as well as family members of former deceased members. It shows what a strong community it is. Stephanie Rosenthal was there, who is the daughter of Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, who was inducted in 2023. After my induction, I gave an acceptance speech, which was well-received.
G9: This is a great achievement and we know your career wasn’t always easy. Prior to joining Pinnacle you faced a lot of challenges, as many others did. How is that situation?
PS: Yes, it wasn’t easy and with the ever-changing direction and goalpost-changing, it did get very difficult. Fortunately everything has been resolved. I have no more issues.
G9: After starting out in the industry working for WWTS in Antigua, you became the CEO of Pinnacle, an offshore sportsbook in Curaçao. You were the first woman to run an offshore sportsbook. That couldn’t have been easy. Working as a clerk to operating Pinnacle as CEO positioned you for the Hall of Fame. That is an incredible story. How did you attain that CEO position and how long were you there?
PS: I didn’t leave WWTS/betcorp for Pinnacle. I was working at betcorp and I didn’t like the direction the new owners were taking the company, so I quit. I had no idea at that time what I was going to do next. But soon after, I was contacted by Pinnacle, who offered me the top job. That was in 2006. I was the CEO until a couple of years ago, when I retired from the sportsbook business. I still do consulting, advising and angel investing within the industry.
G9: Why do you still use the alias Paris Smith instead of your real name if you are retired?
PS: I’m far from retired. Paris Smith isn’t just a name, it’s a brand. Most people know me as Paris, and it’s been my identity for 20 years. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
G9: Pinnacle was famously mentioned on an episode of the HBO crime drama “The Sopranos.” During a scene where mob bookmakers are discussing NFL betting, one of the characters mentions what the line is on a game “at Pinny,” a nickname for Pinnacle. Did you see the episode and what was your reaction to being mentioned on the show?
PS: I remember it vividly watching it when I was in Antigua and still with WWTS. I remember thinking, wow, Pinnacle is damn good to get a mention like that on one of the most iconic shows. It did cross my mind how great it would be to work there someday, which of course I eventually did.
G9: You have stayed in the industry for 30 years and many others that helped form the industry stopped years ago. Do you still keep in touch with any of them?
PS: I try to. I think that is the beauty of Bet Bash, the annual gathering in Las Vegas of sports betting industry people and others. It’s a place where the real industry people congregate. I have crossed paths with the majority, keeping them abreast as to what’s happening. It’s a totally different game now.
G9: Movie producer Dennis Tobler of Las Vegas a few years ago made a documentary film about the history of sports betting, called “Now Place Your Bets,” and you were in it. What was that experience like?
PS: I have known Dennis for so many years, like yourself. When he asked me, I wanted to help. I didn’t realize it would get the traction it did. It was a lot of fun. The film’s premiere took place in Las Vegas and it was nice to see everyone who participated in the film. It was more about the betting and less about the actual industry as I know it.
G9: Tobler told us he’s planning to do a sequel to the film and is currently looking for investors. Is that something you might be interested in supporting?
PS: I’ll have to look into that.
G9: How often do you return to the U.S. and do you miss it, living abroad for over 30 years? If you are retired, why do you stay in Curaçao?
PS: I love it here. I’ve been living here for 19 years and I have no reason to leave. I travel to the U.S. frequently. I was in North Dakota two weeks ago visiting family. I was born in Bismarck. I’m still an American citizen so it’s always home.
G9: You jumped out of an airplane a couple years ago and posted the video on Facebook. What was that about?
PS: My daughter wanted to do it for her birthday and she asked me to do it with her. It was on her bucket list. I always tell her I would do anything for her so she took me to task.
G9: Had you ever jumped out of an airplane before?
PS: No.
G9: So what was the process?
PS: We were at a parachuting school in Florida. You have an hour of instruction first, which consists mostly of watching videos and instruction. Then you go up in the plane and jump out, holding onto an instructor, who pulls the ripcord, which deploys the chute. The first part, when you are in freefall before the chute opens, is terrifying. But once the parachute opens and you are slowly gliding to the ground it’s wonderful.
G9: Would you do it again?
PS: Likely not but never say never.
G9: We’ve been trying to get an interview with you for years. Why did you finally agree to do it?
PS: When I was working for a sportsbook it didn’t make sense to interview with a publication that was U.S.-focused, although you do have a global presence. Internally, I would check for approval and they didn’t think it would add value.
G9: You have remained active in the industry, so do you still follow Gambling 911?
PS Absolutely!
By Tom Somach
Gambling 911 Chief Correspondent
