The Golden Gate Casino in downtown Las Vegas underwent a major expansion last year, almost doubling its size within a week. A further expansion is on the horizon with the opening of its new sportsbook, expected to be launched before the summer.
The sportsbook at the Golden Gate is scheduled to be open by the third quarter of 2019, but it’s expected to be ready for public use even earlier.
Recently, PlayUSA had a discussion about sportsbooks with Derek Stevens, the owner of the Golden Gate, The D, and a new casino tentatively named 18 Fremont. The new casino is set to open in 2020, located across the street from the Golden Gate.
As sports betting is being legalized in numerous states, operators are compelled to become clever and introduce appealing new features. Stevens, a known enthusiastic gambler, enjoys discussing Nevada sports betting and has some remarkably ambitious plans for his future sportsbooks.
The commencement of the new Golden Gate Casino sportsbook hinges on regulatory approval for Stevens to start accepting sports bets. At present, the sportsbooks at the Golden Gate and The D are operated by William Hill. However, this will alter in 2019 when Derek Stevens transitions the sportsbook operation in-house.
In September, paperwork was submitted by him to the Nevada Gaming Control Board to commence sports betting. He anticipates receiving approval by the second quarter of 2019.
Once Stevens gets the green light from the gaming authorities, he plans to inaugurate the new sportsbook at the Golden Gate. Shortly thereafter, the sportsbook at The D is set to open, boasting new televisions and in-house generated lines and odds.
The New Golden Gate Sportsbook
The Golden Gate sportsbook is currently being constructed in a location that’s not as covert as suggested. It’s being built behind a false wall in a recently expanded part of the casino, which used to be home to La Bayou and an alley. The sportsbook will extend to the end of the existing building.
Stevens, a sportsbook operator, will make it the center of their operations. For now, The D will serve as a satellite sportsbook. When it opens in 2020, 18 Fremont is set to become the biggest sportsbook in downtown Las Vegas.
Stevens highlights the unique nature of the Golden Gate, attributing it to the size of the casino floor. The undersized features of everything in the casino, including its small footprint and low ceilings, contribute to a distinct energy not found in most casinos. Furthermore, it boasts one of the most enjoyable craps games in Las Vegas.
The sportsbook will maintain the ambiance of the current casino, embodying an old-school and charming aesthetic. Designed to perfectly fit the size of the casino, this single-level sportsbook may not be large, but it will complement the intimate surroundings of the casino.
Stevens assures that, despite the compact size, there will be numerous places to place bets during the games. It is anticipated that there will be more betting windows than expected, along with other alternatives for wagering. Although it’s still early to delve into the specifics of the technology and legal approvals, it’s likely that kiosks and mobile options will be included for guests to place swift bets.
The Golden Gate sportsbook will feature reserved seating and a large screen that can be segmented to display any number of games as needed.
The D Sportsbook(s)
The D sportsbook won’t experience much alteration initially when Stevens takes over operations from William Hill. They plan to refurbish the current space and upgrade the outdated TVs. However, this is just a provisional measure, as Stevens is in the preliminary stages of devising an enhanced sportsbook for The D.
Construction does not have a fixed schedule yet. However, plans are underway on the location and design of a new sportsbook at The D. For now, it will serve as a subsidiary sportsbook to the other properties.
18 Fremont Sportsbook
Plans are currently underway for the sportsbook at 18 Fremont. A few things are certain about this project. It will boast the largest TV screen in the world and offer stadium seating. The venue is planned to span two floors, with the second floor being an entirely different level accessible by elevator.
The sportsbook might be expansive, but it may not dethrone the neighboring Westgate Superbook as the “World’s Largest Sportsbook”. However, it will hold the record as the biggest sportsbook in downtown Las Vegas. This is undoubtedly an attraction for the thousands of tourists who stay, dine, and enjoy their time in the Fremont Street area.
Stevens now holds a 10% stake in VSiN (Vegas Sports and Information Network). The sportsbook is set to feature a studio for the station, along with five additional radio studios for live off-site broadcasts.
Thanks in part to a partnership with the Golden Knights, The D is set to host 30 different radio remotes this year, despite not having a broadcast facility.
