When Dave Cokin was busted for bookmaking in his native Rhode Island in the 1980s, he essentially had two options: Go to jail or go to Las Vegas.

Easy choice.

“Moved to Las Vegas because getting arrested was expensive,” Cokin said. “Good thing I had a great lawyer, and money evidently talked.”

Cokin, who received probation in the case, has thrived in the gambling capital of the world for the past five decades as a well-respected professional handicapper and sports talk radio host.

The 71-year-old announced his retirement Monday in a post on X in which he said he was diagnosed with cancer a year ago and doesn’t expect to live much longer.

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