LAS VEGAS -- The World Series of Poker had its Moneymaker Effect; now the Westgate SuperContest might have its Coffeemaker Effect. The poker boom happened last decade after accountant Chris Moneymaker won the Main Event as an amateur and now recreational sports bettor Damon Graham won more than $900,000 in the world's most prestigious football handicapping contest this NFL season as a single 32-year-old barista here in Las Vegas.
Yes, he works at Starbucks, but he's a regular Joe.
The SuperContest, which costs $1,500 to enter, has already increased from 345 entries in 2010 to a record 1,854 this season, but having an "everyman" win it can spur it to even bigger growth.