The reason why watching football in Las Vegas isn’t always as straightforward as settling down in a sportsbook to enjoy the games is due to high demand.
Sportsbooks, bars, and restaurants in Las Vegas are most crowded on Saturdays and Sundays as fans and bettors gather to watch the games. The demand for seating can be so high in the most popular spots that reservations are sometimes necessary.
At times, reserving a seat only secures a spot to sit and watch the games. However, there are instances when the reservation also includes drink tickets and other perks.
Restaurants and sportsbooks may permit guests to apply the reservation fee towards a “minimum spend” on food and drinks in the venue. However, while the “minimum spend” is mandatory, guests have the freedom to spend beyond this minimum if they choose.
If you’re worried about not meeting a minimum spend, my friends and I have never faced that issue. Given the pricing for food and drinks for three hours, it’s almost impossible not to reach the required minimum.
Watching football games in Las Vegas does not always require payment. Numerous casinos across the Las Vegas valley continue to offer some free general admission seats.
How to get complimentary seats at Las Vegas sportsbooks
According to data from the UNLV Center For Gaming Research, football has been the most wagered sport in Nevada for at least the past 30 years.
It is usually not difficult to find a seat in a Las Vegas sportsbook to watch a game, unless football games are happening.
During football games, most Las Vegas sportsbooks offer some general admission seats. However, all sportsbooks have limited seating during these games.
When visiting Las Vegas, most tourists tend to stay on the Vegas Strip. It’s no surprise, then, that this is where sportsbook seats are most sought after.
Casinos on the Vegas Strip often reserve seats for high rollers or individuals willing to pay for seat reservations.
In sportsbooks, general admission seats are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. At times, all the seats in a sportsbook are provided free of charge. However, in some instances where the sportsbook is quite small, all the seats could be reserved.
Being early is the initial step to securing a free seat in any sportsbook for football matches. As the adage states, the early bird catches the worm. However, don’t anticipate finding anything available after the game’s start.
Considering the location of the casino could be paramount as tourists often lack transportation and usually stay to watch the games in the vicinity.
Many of these guests prefer to pay for a reserved seat instead of waking up early or spending money to travel elsewhere for a free seat.
Consider visiting off-strip casinos to increase your chances of finding a complimentary seat. Below are some casinos where guests can potentially find a complimentary seat in the sportsbook during football games.
- Gold Coast
- Orleans
- Green Valley Ranch
- Palms
- Red Rock
- South Point
- Westgate
These sportsbooks, among others, have plenty of general admission seats. Some even offer reserved seating for larger groups.
Tips on reserving a Las Vegas sportsbook seat
Casinos that are most frequented typically charge a reservation fee for those wishing to sit in the sportsbook. This is simply a matter of supply and demand.
Some of the charges only cover a seat, while other casinos incorporate drink tickets and/or food into the reservation fee.
The majority of casinos that impose reservation fees for sportsbook are situated on the Vegas Strip. Additionally, some establishments situated outside the primary tourist zone also offer reservation seats.
The majority of seats at Circa’s newest and largest sportsbook require a reservation fee. This sportsbook is among those that include all-you-can-eat and drink in the cost.
Guests visiting Circa should ensure they’re hungry and/or thirsty to maximize their value for money. Given the food and drink prices in Las Vegas, it’s easy to turn this into a positive experience.
Every Caesars Las Vegas casino offers an online sportsbook reservation portal. Each MGM Resorts casino provides a phone number on their individual websites for those interested in reserving seats in their sportsbooks.
Another option for viewing at Vegas Strip casinos are the bars and restaurants, as the sportsbooks are frequently packed for football. It is advisable, and sometimes mandatory, to make reservations.
Bars and restaurants may require a minimum spend, though this isn’t always the case. These policies are subject to change weekly, so it’s advisable to contact the specific bar or restaurant for accurate information.
Finally, large parties should consider reserving a booth or table. While there might be available seats in a sportsbook or bar/restaurant, having one person arrive early to save seats might not be effective. People who arrive early are frequently assertive in finding an unoccupied seat, and the absence of someone in a chair could pose a problem.
Signing up for an online sports betting app for the first time
Registering for a sports betting app in Nevada isn’t challenging, but it differs from the process in other parts of the US and requires a bit of time.
Nevada continues to mandate that all new mobile sports betting accounts must be established in person at a retail sportsbook within a casino.
Due to the segregation of Nevada sports betting accounts from those in other states, users are required to register for an app specifically for use in Nevada. The sportsbook operators listed below offer distinct sports betting apps in Las Vegas, different from those they operate in other states:
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- Circa
- SuperBook
- William Hill
- WynnBet
Sportsbook apps from other states will not function in Nevada. The registration process should only take around 10-15 minutes. The requirements for signing up include:
- Casino rewards card
- Official ID (driver’s license)
- Money to deposit
Every sportsbook operator will be given a brief worksheet to complete with their personal information.
Registering for a sports betting account may take more time during busy periods, such as a full day of college and professional football. Therefore, it’s most time-efficient to sign up for an account a day or two prior to the games.
An individual with an existing account can finance through the app or physically at the matching sportsbook within a casino.
Nevada sports betting menus are much more limited
Sportsbook apps in Nevada, including those operated by companies such as BetMGM and Caesars, offer a more limited betting menu compared to other states. Despite operating in various locations, these sports betting apps provide fewer options in Nevada.
Expect fewer betting options when utilizing a sports betting app in Nevada. This can be somewhat unexpected for those accustomed to sports betting apps in other states.
While the apps feature more extensive menus than in past years, they do not provide the broad selection of live and prop bets available elsewhere.
Single Game Parlays and other newer wagers are not currently available in Nevada. However, this will change once Caesars transitions to a new app later in the year.
When FanDuel’s retail-only sportsbook opens at the Fremont Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas next year, it could offer this.
Which sports betting app to choose
The choice of a Nevada sports betting app depends on personal preferences. While it’s possible to leave money in an inactive account, many visitors prefer to cash out when they depart from Las Vegas.
If players prefer to cash out quickly and easily, they might opt for a sports betting app from their home casino or a nearby location.
Caesars and MGM run almost 20 casinos on the Vegas Strip, in addition to several William Hill sportsbooks in and around the area.
If you’re staying at any of these casinos, using their corresponding app could be handy for quick cash outs. However, keep in mind that while these sportsbook apps provide convenience, they might not provide the best odds and betting options.
Traveling from the Vegas Strip to a downtown or off-strip casino might take approximately 30-45 minutes. This could significantly impact trip planning, as the process of opening an account and cashing out could potentially take an hour or more.
Individuals without personal transportation should consider travel expenses when selecting an app. Individuals on a tight budget might not prefer to spend $20-$50 on a taxi or rideshare, each way, just to register and withdraw money from an app.
That being said, casinos located off the strip could potentially provide superior sports betting apps, particularly in terms of betting options and odds. Naturally, anyone lodging at one of these off-strip casinos can conveniently withdraw funds from their account at the sportsbook.
Having multiple sports betting apps is an excellent option for those seeking a wide range of sports betting opportunities and odds, provided there’s time.
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