A major piece in the jigsaw puzzle involving the Stardust Hotel and Casino's transformation into a $4 million megaresort fell into place Monday when the Las Vegas Review-Journal broke the story that Race and Sports Director Bob Scucci soon would be joining former boss Joe Lupo at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City.

Scucci, one of the Nevada's most influential bookmakers, confirmed he would depart June 1 to become the Borgata's director of relationship marketing.

"I'm excited about the possibilty," Scucci told the R-J. "It's a huge promotion for me. Opportunities like this one come only once in your career."

Scucci assumed the Stardust reins in 2002.

The Stardust long has been the reputed "home of the Las Vegas line," though offshore books have stolen some of its thunder in recent years.

The R-J quoted Roobert Walker, who heads betting operations for MGM Mirage and previously worked at the Stardust, as saying "the landscape will change dramatically" without Scucci at the Stardust helm.

The merger of Boyd Gaming and Coast Casinos has led to speculation about how t

he future Echelon Place might handle sports wagering operations.

Scucci, a New Jersey native and USC graduate, has been with Boyd Gaming 15 years.

He noted he expects the popular Stardust Invitational football handicapping contest and Stardust Line radio show to continue. No indication was given who will step into Scucci's shoes for the last seven months of 2006.

"Scooch", as he's known in sports gaming circles, is a rabid sports buff who looks forward to becoming a plain old fan again.

"It's sometimes tough to enjoy a great game when you've got hundreds of thousands of dollars riding on it," he told the R-J.

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