Frequent Las Vegas sports bettors have been eagerly awaiting this news.
Derek Stevens, owner of The D, Golden Gate, and Circa casinos in downtown Las Vegas, is soon to add sportsbook operator to his portfolio of achievements.
On June 1, Stevens will inaugurate a new sportsbook operation known as Circa Sports. It will be the first sportsbook operator with this many terrestrial casinos in Las Vegas to launch in almost a decade.
PlayUSA had a discussion with Stevens and Matt Metcalf, the Director of Circa Sportsbook, to gather more information about the thrilling new sports betting option that is soon to be launched in Las Vegas.
The basics on Circa Sports
- The new sportsbook operation at Golden Gate Casino commences on June 1.
- On June 1, a mobile app utilizing the Stadium Technology platform will be available.
- The D is set to open a new sportsbook in late June.
- The new sportsbook at Circa Las Vegas is set to open in December 2020.
- Circa Sports will reveal a football and other contests following its launch.
- Bets on horse racing will be restricted to major races.
Where did Circa Sports come from?
Stevens is a passionate sports enthusiast and bettor. He becomes animated when recounting the first time he stepped into what is now known as the Westgate SuperBook, formerly the Las Vegas Hilton SuperBook. He cherishes memories of the Stardust sportsbook era and aspires to recreate that classic Las Vegas sports betting ambiance in his upcoming sportsbooks.
When Stevens purchased the Golden Gate casino in 2006, he had a genuine desire to initiate betting. The idea struck him after he bought Fitzgeralds and launched The D Las Vegas in 2012. However, he later concluded that it would be more beneficial for William Hill to manage the sports betting at that time.
The venture involving two casinos could not succeed based on their betting volume until the realization of plans to open Circa. Currently under construction opposite the Golden Gate, this new casino is set to feature a huge sportsbook with seating for an estimated 500 individuals. It will also boast the largest sportsbook TV screen found in any sportsbook.
Together, the three casinos will provide Circa Sports with the necessary volume to withstand the fluctuations of sports betting.
Big wins and contests with Circa Sports
Stevens has personally experienced quite the rollercoaster in sports betting. Last year, he placed a $25,000 bet on the University of Michigan to win the college basketball championship with odds of 40-1. Had the Wolverines emerged victorious, Stevens would have pocketed a cool $1 million.
Although he didn’t secure the bet, the thrill of a potential huge win fuels Circa Sports. He aims for other gamblers to have a similarly exhilarating experience when they engage with his sportsbooks.
Circa Sports is planning to host contests with substantial rewards, akin to the practice of giving away cars to casino gamblers. They are also set to announce a football contest that will rival the well-known Westgate SuperContest.
One distinction between this football contest and the SuperContest is that participants can make their picks through a mobile app.
Stevens may reduce his personal sports betting as he’ll experience tension from the opposite side of the sportsbook. Rather than the thrill of transforming $25,000 into $1,000,000, he’ll experience the adrenaline rush from avoiding a million dollar loss.
Metcalf declares that Circa Sports aims to adopt an aggressive approach towards limits. Stevens further elaborated that the casino would provide higher limits for large bettors because they aim to attract more individuals to enjoy the atmosphere in their sportsbooks.
Big events in and around The D
Attending big events is not just enjoyable, but they also offer a means to profit from sports betting. Besides owning casinos, Stevens also possesses the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, located across the street from The D.
Throughout the year, the venue holds numerous events such as watch parties for the Super Bowl, Las Vegas Raiders, and Vegas Golden Knights. Additionally, it houses crowded March Madness parties, fantasy draft parties, among others, at The D.
These events already enjoy popularity, and Stevens can profit from any sports betting happening at The D. Both venues will cooperate for the benefit of sports bettors. Newcomers will need to go to The D’s sportsbook to place bets or top up a mobile account, as Nevada law does not permit remote funding.
The D is set to renovate their sportsbook and bar area on the second floor, not by coincidence. The new sportsbook at The D is slated to open by the end of June.
Circa Sports HQ at the Golden Gate
Circa Sports begins operations on the same day as the inauguration of a new sportsbook at the Golden Gate casino. This casino and sportsbook, depicted in the above rendering, will serve as the headquarters for Circa Sports. Metcalf and his team will also be situated at the Golden Gate.
The sportsbook at the Golden Gate will suitably match the small size of the casino. The unique blend of low ceilings and concentrated energy from gamblers sets it apart from most casinos, a vibe that should persist into the sportsbook.
Stevens and Metcalf anticipate that the high-energy atmosphere will provide visitors with the unique sensation of a classic Las Vegas sportsbook experience. They point out that this level of action is not typically accessible to bettors in their local markets across the country.
Circa Sports mobile for Las Vegas sports betting
When Circa Sports opens on June 1, it will offer a mobile app completely developed by Stadium Technology. Many Nevada sportsbooks utilize this company for the backend of their betting apps. However, CG Technology is the only firm employing Stadium Technology for the full app development.
Customers are required to visit a casino for registration. Novice clients will get a signup bonus, the details of which will be disclosed nearer to the launch. After the app is launched, bettors can anticipate more promotional offers.
This app stands out with its unique feature that allows users to make contest picks. Unlike other football contests in Nevada, which require participants to make picks in person or through a proxy, this app provides a more convenient option.
Horse racing
Circa Sports possesses a pari-mutuel license that allows them to offer betting on daily horse racing, but they may not utilize this license immediately, or at all. The newly established sportsbook operation intends to restrict its wagering to significant horse races such as the Kentucky Derby and other Triple Crown races.
Over the past few years, pari-mutuel horse racing has been gradually disappearing from Las Vegas sportsbooks. The reason behind Circa Sports’ decision to postpone daily horse betting is straightforward: the sportsbooks at Golden Gate and The D will not have enough space. Due to limited seating, there may not be enough room in the sportsbooks to accommodate both horse and sports bettors.
When Circa opens, Circa Sports may start utilizing the parimutuel license. The upcoming sportsbook will boast over 350 seats on the first level, earmarked for daily sports bettors. The sportsbook’s second level will provide additional seating for hundreds more as required.
Circa Sports expansion possibilities
Stevens’ strategy for Circa Sports initially involves the Golden Gate, The D, and soon-to-be Circa casinos. However, his vision extends beyond these establishments. Stevens suggests that there is potential for their service to grow to include other sportsbooks in Nevada and possibly even further afield.
Circa Sports initially focuses on its own properties. However, due to the rapid evolution of markets outside Nevada, they are considering potential expansion into these areas at some point.
Significant effort is being dedicated to constructing two sportsbooks, a casino, and initiating a sportsbook operation. They are being cautious not to overextend, but their initial intention is to conquer the sports betting market in downtown Las Vegas.
