UFC legend Forrest Griffin wins celebrity betting challenge that raised $20,000 to help Southern Nevadans with intellectual disabilities
LAS VEGAS – On Saturday, January 12th, Opportunity Village and CG Technologies Sportsbooks commemorated their inaugural #PicksforOV contest with an official watch party at The Palms sportsbook in front of participating celebrities, media, invited guests, executives and sportsbook patrons.
The event included a trophy presentation to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Picks for OV champion Forrest Griffin – who went 49-34-2 in the contest – and a check presentation from CG Technologies Sportsbook.
The $10,000 check from CG Technologies Sportsbook matched the donations, or entrance fees, from the 10 Picks for OV contestants. All $20,000 raised during the 17-week NFL handicapping contest will be going to support Opportunity Village’s mission in serving adults within our community with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We had wonderful support and a huge turnout for our inaugural Picks for OV contest and none of it would have been possible without the dedicated members of the Southern Nevada community,” said Adam K. Joseph, Vice President of Philanthropy at Opportunity Village. “It was an absolute blast, and we really have to thank CG Technologies Sportsbooks and our 10 entrants that came in and truly supported the mission of Opportunity Village and made it all happen. Congratulations to UFC and Forrest Griffin – we appreciate everything you’ve done for adults with disabilities.”
The Picks for OV contest featured notable athletes and several of the Las Vegas Valley’s most recognizable names, including UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin, WBW Welterweight Champion Shawn Porter, sportscaster Al Bernstein, former Mayor Oscar Goodman and radio personality Chet Buchanan.
Professional handicapper Scott Spreitzer, Las Vegas Aces play-by-play voice TC Martin, Mayweather Promotions and the Review-Journal’s man-about-town columnist John Katsilometes also took part in the contest.
"Opportunity Village's mission and track record of uplifting people in the Las Vegas community aligns extremely well with our own company's values,” said Parikshat Khanna, CEO of CG Technology. “We were proud to sponsor ‘Picks for OV' to grow awareness of the organization and contribute funds that will directly impact those in the city we all are proud to call home."
For each week of the NFL regular season, Picks for OV participants chose five teams to win against the spread with “betting” lines supplied by the program’s sponsor, CG Technology Sportsbooks.
In March, Opportunity Village will begin its basketball fundraiser with Picks for OV’s Hoops Hoopla, a bracket contest featuring celebrity contestants going against the “public.” All entry fees will go back into the programs and services at Opportunity Village.
About Opportunity Village
Mission: Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people within our community with significant intellectual disabilities, to improve their lives and the lives of their families.
Seven families who were determined to give their children with disabilities the best lives possible founded Opportunity Village in 1954. Now, more than six decades later, Opportunity Village is one of the most recognized and respected organizations of its type in the United States.
Nevada’s largest employer of people with disabilities, Opportunity Village serves nearly 2,000 individuals annually, providing vocational training, employment, habilitation and social recreation programs and services that make their lives more purposeful and interesting.
Opportunity Village clients – individuals who were previously considered unemployable – work at Opportunity Village’s Employment Resource Centers and in jobs throughout the community, collectively earning wages amounting to more than $3.6 million in 2016. They are hardworking and diligent, proudly paying taxes and happily leading more fulfilling lives.
Primarily a self-funded organization, Opportunity Village generates the majority of its operational funding through its employment contracts and fundraising efforts such as the Magical Forest and Great Santa Run, saving Nevada taxpayers more than $46.9 million annually.
About CG Technology Sportsbooks
CG Technology is one of the largest licensed bookmakers in Nevada and operator of eight Nevada sportsbooks at seven prime Las Vegas resorts, many of them on the world famous Strip and all within easy reach of the city’s 43 million annual visitors.
CG Technology’s Sportsbooks are known for their high-definition screens, comfortable seating, and designs unique to each host resort. Their Las Vegas sportsbooks range from luxury destinations such as The Venetian, The Palazzo, and The Cosmopolitan to iconic classics like Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Tropicana to locals’ favorites Silverton Casino, M Resort, and Palms Casino Resort.
More info is available at www.cgsportsbooks.com
Press Contacts
Jenna Greene, R&R Partners
Jenna.greene@rrpartners.com
702.228.0222 / 702.318.4289
Ashton Ferguson, Opportunity Village
fergusona@opportunityvillage.org
702.880.4071 / 702.273.7674
Nehme E. Abouzeid, CG Technologies Sportsbooks
nehme.abouzeid@cgtglobal.com
702.677.3800