Your Guide To March Madness In Las Vegas

 

The initial weekend of March Madness ranks as one of Las Vegas’ busiest times. The main attraction for sports enthusiasts is viewing and placing bets on 48 college basketball matches throughout the four-day weekend.

Nonetheless, this is the onset of pool season as spring-breakers flock to Las Vegas. St. Patrick’s Day also falls within this period, and coincidentally, a significant convention is scheduled in the city that same weekend.

Having all of these in Vegas simultaneously could be quite intense. It’s advisable to meticulously plan your March Madness trip right now. We are here to assist you.

Prepare for your Las Vegas visit now

The excitement of the opening weekend of March Madness in Las Vegas cannot be exaggerated. Even amidst all the other events happening in Sin City during that weekend, one can still have an unforgettable experience as long as they plan well in advance and frequently.

The CONEXPO-CON/AGG convention, North America’s biggest construction show, is taking place in town until Saturday, March 18. As an additional 100,000 people will be in Vegas, the event will uniquely affect the first weekend of March Madness.

The colossal convention is causing a greater stir in Las Vegas than usual. Everything ranging from hotel room rates to table game minimums will be more expensive during that weekend. Securing a reservation at a steakhouse or any high-end restaurant will be harder. Therefore, it’s of utmost importance to make those reservations immediately!

Online betting is available in Vegas, with one caveat

Positively, Las Vegas pioneered the provision of online sports betting. However, the drawback is that to open an account on a Nevada sports betting app, one must physically be present at a full-service sportsbook within a casino.

Signing up for an account should typically take around 15 minutes, though it can be a bit irritating. Given the high influx of people in Las Vegas betting on March Madness, the queues to sign up might be lengthy during the event. Therefore, it’s recommended to sign up prior to the start of the games.

The process of registering for a Nevada sports betting app is a one-time event. After the account has been personally funded, it can be topped up directly via the app.

Please note that Nevada sportsbook apps operate on a unique system and are not connected to accounts from other states. The subsequent casino firms have separate Nevada apps compared to the rest of the country:

• BetMGM
• Boyd
• Caesars
• Circa
• Nugget of Gold
• Hill William
• Wynn

Furthermore, popular applications such as DraftKings and FanDuel are not operational in Nevada. The recently established FanDuel sportsbook in downtown Las Vegas is merely a brand name. The betting odds and mobile app actually originate from Boyd Gaming.

Watching March Madness at Vegas sportsbooks

During the initial weekend of March Madness, sportsbooks are overflowing with bettors, alumni, and college fans. The atmosphere is exhilarating, but it often comes with a substantial cost during the basketball tournament.

Most seats in sportsbooks on the Vegas Strip require a reservation. The price can vary from $250 per day for a single seat at The Cromwell to several thousand dollars for a group at the same or other locations.

Online sportsbook seat reservations are available at Caesars sportsbooks and similar establishments such as Park MGM on the Vegas Strip. However, the majority of other properties necessitate a phone call to reserve a seat. Regardless of whether the reservation is made online or over the phone, ensure the reserved hours are accurate. Some sportsbook seat reservations only include early or late games.

General admission seating on a first-come, first-served basis is still offered by some sportsbooks both on and off the Vegas Strip. However, these are not common, so if you wish to get a seat without reservation fees, it is recommended to arrive early. Generally, prices are more affordable off the Vegas Strip.

Most general admission seats are located in sportsbooks outside of The Strip. If you prefer to travel, instead of paying for a seat in a sportsbook, there are several alternatives to think about.

• Resort and Spa at Red Rock Casino
• Resort and Spa at Green Valley Ranch
• Hotel & Spa South Point Casino
• The Casino and Hotel of Orleans
• Hotel and Casino Gold Coast

Other March Madness casino viewing options

Due to the influx of people in sportsbooks, casinos host March Madness watch parties in bars, restaurants, and ballrooms. These parties usually charge a fee starting at $50 per person per day. In Las Vegas, the typical watch party costs between $100 and $125 per day.

These gatherings might involve food and drinks. However, each party varies, so ensure to go through the details carefully.

Several casinos still offer general admission parties without a cover charge. South Point, for instance, hosts an excellent party. However, guests are advised to arrive early to guarantee a seat and should bring enough money for food and beverages throughout the day.

Circa Resort and Casino’s adults-only Stadium Swim pool complex offers one of the most unique March Madness viewing experiences. It’s one of the few pools in the US where you can watch March Madness games all day, play blackjack, and easily access sports betting.

Experiencing March Madness at Stadium Swim may come with a hefty price tag, but it offers a unique “only in Vegas” experience. While other pools might broadcast the games, none can match the unique atmosphere of Stadium Swim.

The Facebook group, March Madness In Las Vegas, serves as an excellent resource for various March Madness viewing options.

Betting on March Madness games in person

Las Vegas is a hotspot for tourists, drawing in numerous sports wagering enthusiasts who prefer to stake their bets at the sportsbook where they intend to watch the games. The queues at the sportsbook can get exceptionally lengthy during the March Madness games, especially in the morning on the Vegas Strip.

Those who wish to place bets should prepare early as larger sportsbooks may have a waiting time of up to an hour. Sportsbooks located away from The Strip are generally less crowded, except for Circa and Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. These two are among the most frequented sportsbooks outside the main tourist area.

Other things to do in Las Vegas

Once more, nothing can compare to the experience of being in a Las Vegas sportsbook during the initial two days of March Madness. The atmosphere is unmatched, with countless individuals placing bets on 16 games daily from 9 a.m. to approximately 9 p.m.

In other words, it can be tiring to stay in one place for 12 hours. Recognizing this, many sportsbooks, as mentioned earlier, only take reservations for part of the day. This provides a reason for guests to be more mobile.

March Madness’s first weekend also marks the commencement of spring in Las Vegas. This period provides an excellent opportunity to indulge in outdoor activities. The pool season is in full swing, with top clubs hosting well-known DJs. If you wish to enjoy an outdoor daytime party with a large crowd, consider visiting Encore Beach Club, Wet Republic, or similar venues.

Those who enjoy a drink may want to consider outdoor celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day. The Fremont Street Experience will feature 18 bands offering free performances throughout the weekend. In addition to this, there will be a festive parade, Celtic dancing, and other attractions. The New York-New York Casino & Hotel will be the venue for the Celtic Feis Celebration, which will be held all day and night, both inside and outside the casino, at The Park.

Celebrations are deserved for big wins at the sportsbook. This is a reason to make advance reservations at a top-notch restaurant before visiting Las Vegas.

Naturally, visiting the casino floor is always a possibility once the games have concluded. The limits on the Vegas Strip will likely be higher than normal, but casinos near the strip such as Palms Casino Resort, Gold Coast, and Oyo Hotel & Casino may offer reasonable minimums.

Casinos in Downtown Las Vegas, such as the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, Plaza Hotel & Casino, and The D Casino & Hotel, typically offer lower limits and more favorable rules for gamblers. These establishments are excellent choices for enjoyable experiences and lower limits in the downtown area.