5 Must-Have Features for Las Vegas Sportsbooks

There are a few key elements that every Las Vegas sportsbook should have. Some of these are physical features we can touch, see, and use. Others are service-related and make the sportsbook an exceptional venue to watch and wager on games.

Surprisingly, not every Las Vegas sportsbook has all the important touchpoints. There are numerous reasons for this, but it often comes down to the bottom line.

For more than two decades, some Las Vegas casinos have diversified, with at least half of their revenue coming from non-gaming amenities like bars, restaurants, shows, and spas. Today, most Las Vegas casinos fall into this category.

Sports betting on the Vegas Strip accounts for just 3 percent of direct gaming revenue, which is only about a quarter of the total revenue these casinos generate. Sports betting brings in a little more elsewhere in Sin City, but it's still tiny compared to other sources of revenue.

The bottom line for many casinos is that direct revenue from sports bets is negligible. Some of the investment in Las Vegas sportsbooks reflects that.

However, Las Vegas sportsbooks do help generate non-gaming revenue through nearby bars and restaurants. The small slice of gaming revenue from sports betting doesn't place it high on the priority list for many corporate bean counters.

Still, even casino operators who don't want to focus on this small revenue stream can implement features that offer a quality sportsbook experience for guests while generating appropriate returns. Investing in a few key sportsbook features doesn’t have to be expensive.

1️⃣ A Smart Staff

The first person, and probably only person, a sports bettor will engage with at a sportsbook is the ticket writer. This is the face of the sportsbook to many bettors.

All sportsbooks should feature a courteous and knowledgeable staff. There are two crucial parts of Las Vegas sports betting: in-person and mobile.

Ticket writers should know the ins and outs of every wager on the sportsbook menu so they can explain how certain bets work. Unless there’s a specific person to handle all mobile app questions, they should also understand the technology, regulations, and common financial issues.

Unfortunately, in-person mobile sportsbook registration is so inconvenient that many tourists prefer to place wagers at the counter or kiosk. Even if a tourist has an account with an existing Las Vegas sportsbook from another state, they still have to link to the account in-person inside a casino.

One of the most difficult and probably most important traits Las Vegas sportsbook staff needs is patience. The city sees visitors from all over the world, and not everyone understands how to place the bet they have in mind.

A player should not feel afraid or embarrassed to ask a question about making a bet. It is discouraging for new or inexperienced bettors when they try to place a bet and the staff talks down to them because they do not know the correct terms or rules.

Having a courteous staff that is as courteous and knowledgeable will keep novice and experienced sports bettors coming back for great service.

2️⃣ Fair Odds and Limits

A sportsbook exists to take wagers on sports. They should post limits so everyone knows the minimum and maximum wager on a game. 

Not only will the players appreciate this, but it will also make the sportsbook staff’s job easier, allowing them to provide great customer service.

Similar to other casino games, sportsbooks have a built-in advantage for all bets, and gamblers are fine with that. Like table games and slots, sports bettors just want a fair chance.

The fun of all gambling is knowing there is a chance to walk away as a winner. Worse odds make that less likely.

Accountants are also the reason many sportsbooks do not accept large wagers. Since this part of the casino generates such a small portion of direct revenue, they might choose to avoid larger bets so as not to risk changes in their quarterly revenue reports.

3️⃣ Complimentary Drinks

It’s more difficult than ever for the average gambler to obtain a drink in exchange for their wager at a Las Vegas sportsbook. It would be great if casino operators treated sports bettors the same as slot and table game players by offering complimentary drinks when wagering.

In the 1900s, a sports bettor would receive a complimentary drink ticket or two for an average-sized bet. While these still exist, bettors have to make a significant wager between $100-$500 for a single cheap beer or mixed drink. 

This is mostly a Las Vegas sportsbook issue. Some might consider it an outdated practice since most jurisdictions don’t have this issue, since they’ve never offered complimentary drinks. 

However, Las Vegas sportsbooks encourage in-person wagering with such great venues. Offering drink tickets is a way to fill the seats. 

Kiosks already dispense slips for sports bets. They should also be programmed to distribute a drink ticket for wagers. Integrating drink tickets into sportsbook apps is probably more challenging, but should be available if the technology allows it.

The drink tickets are an incentive for sports bettors to wager more. After all, that’s the goal of offering complimentary drinks to slot and table game players. It should be noted that the drinks technically aren’t “free,” since they’re being paid for in the form of a wager.

The cost of a well drink or domestic macro brew isn’t high, and offering comps would not only be a goodwill gesture but could also enhance the experience for guests.

4️⃣ Great Video Screens

Having great video screens in a sportsbook should go without saying. Unfortunately, it’s not always the case, and operators need to stay up-to-date with technology. 

The biggest and best Las Vegas sportsbooks have the newest video wall technology. 

It’s incredibly disappointing to walk into the sportsbook of a luxury casino and see faded TV screens from the early 2000s. While the large casino corporations have expanded outside of Las Vegas, they seem to have forgotten about some of the sportsbooks that helped build the company.

Video technology changes so rapidly that many joke that the annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is basically a TV expo. There’s no shortage of new video tech to improve the sportsbook experience.

Casino operators argue that they need in-person mobile account registration to bring people to the casino. They might as well make going to the sportsbook worth the time.

5️⃣ Comfort Is Key

You’ve placed a wager at fair odds for the amount you want with a friendly ticket writer or a kiosk at the sportsbook. Now you have a drink ticket, and it’s time to settle into the sportsbook and watch the game play out.

This part of the Las Vegas sportsbook experience starts with comfortable seats, but it doesn’t end there. Multiple elements are needed to create overall comfort.

Each seat should have a USB charger so guests can keep their mobile devices powered. A day out in Las Vegas can literally last 24 hours, and a dead phone is stressful.

Sportsbooks can be a respite where players can recharge their bodies in a comfortable chair and keep their phone alive with a USB outlet.

At a minimum, there should be a nearby bar to grab a drink and a quick-serve restaurant for food to go. In a perfect world, a cocktail server would make rounds through the sportsbook to at least bring over drinks.

Many Las Vegas casinos offer mobile ordering from restaurants for pick-up. The sportsbook should have signage to alert guests. This allows them to spend minimal time away from the games if they want to grab a bite to eat.