What’s Open For March Madness Betting In Las Vegas
While the 2021 NCAA D1 men’s basketball tournament may not have any games taking place in or near Las Vegas, that doesn’t mean the city will lie bereft of March Madness betting activity during the tourney this year. As you’ll see in this Vegas March Madness guide, that’s far from the case.
Plus, bettors all over the country will be looking at March Madness odds in Las Vegas.
Most Vegas casinos with sportsbooks are going to welcome not only your bets but your viewing as well. While there are still some safety protocols in place, that just means the action at these properties could be even more exclusive this year.
Vegas March Madness guide and what to know before you go
There are some casino sportsbooks, like the book at the California Hotel & Casino, that remain closed. Additionally, others continue to limit their occupancy based on corporate and government rules. You should expect to be required to wear a mask when you aren’t actively drinking or eating. The city maintains a comprehensive list of COVID-19-related protocols at each casino in Vegas.
Some properties require tickets for their March Madness events, like Plaza’s “March Mania.” For other sportsbooks, limited seating means reservations a
re your best bet if you want a seat for the games. At most casinos, you can put in your seating requests online.
Along similar lines, many properties still offer mobile ordering for food. This is a great way to keep yourself safe because it limits your interaction with other people. Most facilities are back to their regular hours, although beverage and foodservice may still be altered to varying degrees.
If you’re wondering where to reserve a table, you have plenty of options over the course of the tournament. Following are a few highlights of events for sports bettors and fans alike.
Where to watch March Madness on the Las Vegas Strip
Bally’s Race & Sports Book
Bally’s is offering packages for parties of either four or two people during the tournament. The ticket includes a drink and a seat for everyone in the party. Call (877) 603-4390 to reserve spots. The Book Sports Bar is open, with the following hours:
- Monday – Friday: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Caesars Palace
On tournament days throughout the rest of this month going into April, all Caesars properties in Las Vegas will take part in “Hoops On the Strip.” (We get into details on locations below.) Some of the details will be specific to each facility, but all come with requisite tickets that guests can purchase online.
For Caesars Palace, the choices include bleacher, main zone, and VIP packages. At the bleacher level, patrons get three drink tickets along with a guaranteed seat. The main zone package builds on that with a fourth drink ticket.
The VIP package gives access to a beverage wristband, exclusive seating, mobile food ordering, and priority consideration at the betting windows. Prices will vary depending on demand and seating is limited.
Flamingo Las Vegas Race & Sports Book
The Flamingo is holding Hoops On The Strip as well. For a price that fluctuates based on the tournament day ($165.83 for March 18, for example) guests get two dedicated seats and two drink tickets. Doors open at 9 a.m. each tournament day. Tickets are required for access to the viewing area, which offers several HDTVs and projection screens. The best way to buy tickets is on The Flamingo’s website.
Harrah’s Las Vegas
Like The Flamingo, Harrah’s offers Hoops On The Strip during all tournament action. There are more options at this property, however. The sportsbook offers four different seating options, which have different prices each day. The prices listed below are for March 18.
- Hoops Railing Seating Package – For $107.91, you get a spot in the railing seating at the sportsbook and two drink tickets
- Hoops General Seating Package – This gets you a cushioned chair and two drink tickets for $232.91
- Hoops Recliner Seating Package – Pony up $307.91 to get a recliner and two drink tickets for yourself
- VIP Booth Package – With seating for up to four people and two drink tickets per guest, the couches might be just a perk for $471.10
Again, the best way to buy tickets is through Harrah’s website. You will need a ticket to access the viewing area.
The LINQ Hotel
As it’s also a Caesars property, you’ll find Hoops On The Strip here. The unique element to this property is the “fan caves” that guests can reserve for the games. That comes with your own audio and video that allows you to watch up to six games simultaneously.
You can get beverages and bottle service along with food delivery from Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar. Guests can also reserve private cabanas at Influence, the pool inside The LINQ. The open-air bar is also available with open seating.
3535 also offers reservations for groups of as many as four. That package includes a dedicated TV for each party and two drink tickets per person.
The Mirage
The Still inside the casino is hosting a “Brackets and Beers” event. The action runs all tournament long, giving fans access to a selection of over 50 craft beers and the games on nearly 30 screens. To reserve a seat or a table, email [email protected], call (702) 692-8455, or visit The Still’s website.
The event has two sessions and reservations are available for both or either. AM sessions run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. while PM sessions go from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Pricing varies depending on the day of the week and whether you reserve for both sessions.
There will be limited open seating and a selection of food available for purchase as well.
The Palazzo Casino at the Venetian Resort
While The Dorsey will be showing games without sound, the Electra Cocktail Club will be the main destination here. The 70 million pixel, 40-foot screen will show up to five games at a time. The Electra is open Friday-Sunday, from 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. while the Dorsey runs Thursday-Sunday, 4 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Planet Hollywood
As is the case with most Caesars properties, Hoops On The Strip is ongoing here as well. Seats are available inside the casino in the following areas:
- Blue Moon Bar
- Extra Lounge
- Heart Bar
- Ringer
At Ringer, packages include seating for parties of either four or two people. Prices fluctuate daily and include two drink tickets for each guest. Doors open at 9 a.m. and the best way to buy the required tickets is through the casino’s website.
In the three other areas, packages can incorporate up to four guests. The cost of admission includes $100 in beverage credit for the entire party.
SAHARA Las Vegas
March Mania is ongoing for the Rounds of 64 and 32, the Sweet 16, and the Elite Eight. Open seating will be available in the following areas:
- CASBAR
- Paradise Lounge*
- SAHARA Theatre Lounge
- The Tangier*
*open seating only available for the Rounds of 64 and 32
All-inclusive VIP packages are available for all of March Mania. The packages include seating for up to six guests and come with a credit that can go toward beverages, bottle service, and food. The casino will also offer Slam Dunk Drawings with prizes that include shares of $4,000 in free slot play or play-til-you-lose promotional chips.
Treasure Island
At the Golden Circle Sportsbook & Bar, there’s a watch party for the tournament’s opening weekend. Doors open at 8 a.m. on March 19-21. The sportsbook requires reservations for this event. Guests can buy special all-you-can-drink packages, which cost $125 for six hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or $250 for a 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. window. Also available from 8 a.m. to noon each day will be a limited selection of breakfast menu items for $15 each.
Off-strip locations to watch and bet on March Madness in Vegas
Circa Las Vegas
3-Story Madness is the event of the day during all tournament days. Guests can reserve seats throughout the three-story sportsbook on the casino’s website. Beverages and food will be available at the overhanging bar.
The 78 million pixels, three-story screen will show all the games throughout each day. The Stadium Swim
pool will also be broadcasting the games for guests to take in as they enjoy the water. General admission tickets for Stadium Swim during the games start at $20.
Ellis Island
This version of March Mania takes place inside The Front Yard Beer Garden. An 18-foot screen, beverages, and food await ticketholders. Guests can contain up to six people in their parties. Tickets are available for all-day, morning, or evening sessions. Prices range accordingly from $125 to $1,500. The session times are:
- All-day: 8 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Evening: 3:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Morning: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The best way to purchase tickets is through the casino’s Eventbrite page.
Plaza Hotel & Casino
The Event Center inside the casino will host “March Mania” on March 19 and 20. Guests will receive a QR code to order from Pop Up Pizza and attendees are also welcome to bring in any food purchased from any dining option on the property. A cocktail bar will also be available.
Admission is $25 per day and doors open at 8 a.m. You can purchase tickets online through the casino’s website until they sell out. Tickets will be required for entrance to the events area.
Red Rock
From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 19-22, Rocks Lounge will offer beverage specials as the games play. Seating is open for couches and lower tables. Guests can reserve booths on the casino’s website for parties of up to six people.
Reservations are only available for three blocks of time each day. Those are:
- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- 5 p.m. to close
The two early time slots come with a $600 beverage minimum. The late slot has a $250 beverage minimum.
Rio’s Race & Sports Book
Yep, Hoops On The Strip is happening here, too. Guests have five different seating choices available for reservations on the casino website. Again, prices will fluctuate based on the date and you must reserve a seat to view the games at the book. The options are:
- Poker Room Chair Package – This package gets you a seat in the poker room adjacent to the sportsbook along with a $30 credit you can use on beverages and/or food
- Leather Arm Chair Package – Land yourself a seat inside the sportsbook along with the $30 beverage/food credit
- Side Table Package – This package accommodates parties of four or less, giving your party $40 in credit for drinks and eats, too
- Back Table Package – Same as above, but with a better view of the TV wall
- Premium Booth Package – The ultimate in comfort for parties of up to four people and this one boats $60 in beverage/food credit
Westgate
Westgate Hoops Central is going on inside the International Theater from March 19 through March 22. Doors open at 8 a.m. and although there will only be 50 tickets per day, guests can get on a waitlist by calling (702) 732-5755.
Tickets cost $50 and include a bottled domestic beer. Guests can buy tickets at the theater’s box office or on the casino’s website. Patrons can enjoy access to the SuperBook along with all the games on the giant HD screens.
In conclusion, no matter where you prefer to spend your time in Vegas during March Madness, there should be an option that fits your style, budget, vibe, and location.
There’s no guaranteeing that your bets will pay off or your alma mater will progress in the tournament. However, we can guarantee that you can find all the elements necessary to enjoy the games at one of these locales. And remember to enjoy the other fun activities – such as open Las Vegas pools and dayclubs – as the city slowly reopens.
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