There are two very different football viewing experiences in Las Vegas today. Just about every bar and bar & restaurant will show a stand-alone game on any night. You can even see all of the late afternoon NFL games (1 pm pacific, 4 pm eastern) in most of these venues since there's usually only three or four games.
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The best football viewing experience takes place when there’s a full slate of NFL games on Sunday morning or college games on Saturday afternoon. There’s nothing like being able to watch every game in one place - especially when everyone has money on the games. We all have our favorite sportsbook for watching the games.
I’m partial to the large sportsbooks because there’s no better feeling than the rush of hundreds of people on the edge of their seat for every play of every game. Watching in a sports bar is fine but there’s something special being around other gamblers with money on individual games. Fantasy football fans aren't quite as maniacal.
This year there are new and renovated sportsbooks along with some watch parties that you might want to consider for your football game experience in Las Vegas this season.
Wynn
The massive makeover and expansion of the Wynn sportsbook seems to be a runaway success. The renovation really modernized the sportsbook for today’s customer. There’s plenty of comfortable seating, a new bar with signature cocktails and Charlie’s Bar and Grill for a bite to eat. The first hour of parking is free if you just want to run in and place a bet.
Encore
The Encore tower at Wynn hasn’t had a sportsbook since opening in 2008. Most people had to take a seemingly endless stroll over Wynn to place bets or watch the games. The new sportsbook at Encore is modest with large tvs and seating for about 50-60 people. It’s actually the perfect kind of sportsbook for Encore since most people will be watching the games at Wynn.
The Cromwell
The Cromwell is another casino that opened without a sportsbook. This boutique casino stands on the bones of Barbary Coast. Like Encore, the sportsbook is small and seats about 50-60 people. This year Caesars Entertainment decided to make The Cromwell the home of some of the best gambling on the Vegas Strip. Along with the new sportsbook, the casino now offers 3:2 blackjack, single zero roulette, and 100x odds in craps.
Hooters
I recently made my first visit to Hooters casino to check out the renovated sportsbook. The new space is huge with a bar, beer pong tables, a billiards table, large tvs everywhere, and ample seating. This sportsbook isn't fancy but it perfectly fits the recently renovated Hooters casino. There are dollar margaritas and cheap drinks if you’re looking for a clean and inexpensive place to watch the games.
Rampart Casino
You might not know this but the small casino in Summerlin offers the same lines as the South Point. The new sportsbook occupies the space that used to be home to an Irish Pub. The new book will also include a bar with 10 video poker machines. Much like some of the other new sportsbooks, they have seating for around 50 people.
Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (Across from The D)
The events center across the street from The D will host a series of Free outdoor NFL watch parties this season. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and the events will run until 8 pm on the following dates:
September 10, 17, 24
October 1, 8, 15, 19, 29
November 5, 19, 26
December 3, 10, 17
Free general admission seats in this covered outdoor venue are first come first served but you can reserve VIP tables. Reservations are always nice if you're not sure you'll arrive in time for a free seat. There will be food available from American Coney Island and Project BBQ. There will be beer specials and bottomless mimosas for $15 available from 9am-1pm.
Westgate SuperBook
I bet you thought renovations to the most famous sportsbook in Las Vegas were complete. Not so fast, my friend. This year a new six table poker room replaces the old Fan Cave room. The sportsbook is smoke-free but the casino recently added “The Clubhouse” which is an enclosed smoking area. There’s also a new deli with an adjacent game area.
The biggest news of all is that Football Central is returning to the International Westgate Theater for NFL games. According to thevegasparlay.com admission will be free once again and there a satellite betting area if you don’t have an app or don't want to walk back to the sportsbook.
Las Vegas is loaded with seemingly endless new football viewing options
