When it comes to the best sportsbooks for betting on March Madness in Las Vegas, everybody seems to have an opinion. Some people pick their favorite spot because it's lucky, some may like a certain establishment because its easy to find seating, while others like shorter lines. Whatever your reason, the conversation seems to bring an array of betting personalities.
The staff at The Action Network ranked their favorite sportsbooks in Las Vegas on a 1-to-5 scale, using a points system where 1st-place votes get seven points, 2nd-place votes get five points and so on … from there, a list was born. Grab a cocktail, put your feet up and get ready to rip our list apart. Here are the Top 10 Action Network Staff Vegas Sportsbook Rankings:
10 Best Vegas Sportsbooks
1. Westgate Las Vegas Casino
Nickname: Las Vegas SuperBook
Operator: Independent
Quote: "When it comes to consistency, it's really hard to beat the product Westgate produces. From the quickly posted competitive spreads across the market to the various props and wagering options, the SuperBook is one of my favorite spots when I'm in Vegas. You can point to the atmosphere, the big screens and the size of the Westgate book, but to me, the quick release of lines and diverse wagering spread make it a no-brainer for any type of bettor." – Peter Jennings
Largely considered the most famous sportsbook in Las Vegas, the Westgate SuperBook has remained top dog in Sin City since it was last renovated over the last few years. The SuperBook is nearly 25,000 square feet in total with the the biggest LED video wall you've ever seen, but it's the wagering menu that brings both casual and hardcore bettors to this establishment.
The 4K screens that can shuffle games during the NFL season and March Madness set Westgate apart. Staples such as power outlets and USB ports in terminals have become a regular at top-tier books, but I still have it on my list of necessities, and the SuperBook has it.
Not only does Westgate's mobile app offer a great product on the go, but during the biggest events in sports, there really isn't a more electric atmosphere in the city.
2. Wynn Las Vegas
Operator: Wynn Resorts
Quote: "I guess the Wynn best suits someone like me since I was a first-timer who didn't mind being crammed in a crowded room in exchange for a great atmosphere.
It was tight and you need to be ready for that. Being packed into a dime-a-dozen bar with awful music sucks, but standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a complete stranger as you cheer on the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers to score meaningless buckets in the dying seconds of their blowout loss against Villanova so they push the total over — that is a powerful moment.
If you're more into sitting back and relaxing with the games on, the Wynn may not be your cup of tea, but if you know what you're getting into ahead of time it's a great place to watch a game with people who are there for the same reason as you." – Michael Leboff
Sounds like Mike isn't alone, as the Wynn's sportsbook came in at number two on our staff list. One of the newest books on the strip in terms of renovation, the Wynn just took a large step in the right direction. The upgrade to the viewing area, similar to what Westgate did with the large video board, makes the Wynn's sportsbook a solid number two option and closer to the action in the middle of the strip.
The Wynn's Executive Director of the race and sportsbook, Johnny Avello, has been in the industry for over 30 years, runs an independent book at the Wynn and is a great option for bettors in Vegas.
3. Caesars Palace
Operator: Caesars Entertainment
Quote: "When picking a sportsbook I want easy access to the ticket window, bar (cash those drink tickets!) and restroom. Check, check and check at Caesars and as a bonus the poker room is next door so you can play cards between games." – John Ewing
4. The Venetian
Operator: CG Technology
Quote: "The Venetian has a special place in my heart as it was the first sportsbook I ever placed a bet in during my first Vegas trip for Spring Break 2002. While that is likely due to the free drinks enjoyed as a broke college student, the Venetian remains a book I always return to every trip to Vegas. If you like a comfortable sportsbook with great TV's and aren't interested in the atmosphere of the more prominent sportsbooks, the Venetian is for you." – PJ Walsh
Located in the middle of the strip, the Venetian sportsbook may have one of the best central locations for easy access to multiple books and casinos (Caesars has a good location as well depending on your destination). The patented red terminals in front of the big screen setup gives this book a bit of a different feel than Caesars and even its brother property, the Palazzo with Lagasse's Stadium, too.
If what you are looking for in your big-game experience is a large crowd and scene, one of the books mentioned above is probably a better spot, but the Venetian's connection with CG Technology makes it a fun stop for a novice and some good live betting tools for the more experienced bettor.
5. The Palazzo
Nickname: Lagasse's Stadium
Operator: CG Technology
Quote: "Compared to the other sportsbooks in Las Vegas, there is just something different and unique about watching games at Lagasse's Stadium. After you've walked into one of the cathedrals, I feel like you have kind of seen them all. Between the stadium seating, the great menu from Emeril and the change of atmosphere if you tend to live at the book, it's my favorite option." – Evan Abrams
If what you are looking for in a sportsbook is a cathedral-like mecca, take the monorail up to Westgate. Lagasse's Stadium at the Palazzo simply offers a different experience, with a large projector screen in the middle, surrounded by smaller screens on the sides, a more intimate viewing experience is expected at times.
The mix between the menu (especially the Buttermilk Fried Chicken on Jalapeno Cornbread Waffle), the comfortable seating and the ability to use CG Technologies mobile app makes it a really unique experience for big events in a stadium-like atmosphere. Seating for groups comes at a cost, but having an entire bachelor party or group in an area at Lagasse can be well worth the price.
Bonus Viewing Option: Eastside Lounge
Location: Encore
Quote:: "With the renovations to the Wynn, it is now a premiere place on the strip to watch the game. When big events happen the Wynn may be completely overbooked. In that case, take a few extra steps to Eastside Lounge in Encore with comfortable couches and chairs while getting cocktail service from a waitress with a much lower number of customers to serve.” – Collin Wilson
Various votes for the Eastside Lounge at The Encore deserved its own separate shoutout. As Collin mentioned above, the Eastside Lounge is a favorite spot for many people who enjoy the book at The Wynn. The lounge has live music, various different cocktail options and a view of the pool, all of which make it an eclectic spot to catch a big game.
