Top 10 Las Vegas Sportsbooks

Think you can beat the Vegas oddsmaker? Here are the best places to make that bet.

We are kicking off football season with a revised list of our favorite Sportsbooks in town. If you are in town and want to put some action on the games, here are some of the best places to visit:

1. The Mirage Race & Sports book

The Mirage once had the best sportsbook in Las Vegas. That luster was fading, due to neglect, but a major renovation in 2013 has the Mirage back on top!

The renovation removed most of the old desk seating and replaced it with big comfy chairs. As part of the renovation The Mirage also added a gigantic TV screen that spans almost the entire huge sportsbook. This screen is flexible and can fit just about every game with each game being sized to the amount of interest. The sportsbook manager decides which games are shown and what size they are based on bets made, so if you want to see a game make sure you place your bets here.

Unlike many other sportsbooks you may be able to score a drink ticket here. If you’re concerned about having a seat for football you can reserve a VIP couch. It will cost a few bucks but it guarantees a seat and drink service. It’s great to see such a historic part of Las Vegas casinos come back to life.

3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, (702) 791-7111 mirage.com

2. Venetian

The Venetian sportsbook underwent a large renovation in 2011 and you can definitely see where the money was spent. The lighting and TV screens at The Venetian sportsbook are as good as it gets. The Venetian sportsbook is operated by CG Technology (Formerly Cantor Gaming) and looks similar to their other sportsbooks in Las Vegas with red desks and big high back office style chairs. If it wasn’t for those beautiful TV screens this sportsbook would have zero vibe but those TV screens make up for any lack of atmosphere from the decor. The desks have outlets should you need to power your phone. Cocktail service is hit and miss (mostly miss). The saving grace for drinkers are the quick and polite bartenders. You may just want to sit at the bar and watch the games if you plan on drinking. The Venetian sportsbook is one of the best traditional (free) sportsbook in Las Vegas but unless you’re a high roller during football season you may not get a seat. Those are reserved for their best customers.

3. Westgate Las Vegas

Westgate Las Vegas (the hotel formerly known as LVH, which was formerly known as Las Vegas Hilton before that) has one of the most famous sports books in Las Vegas. The sportsbook even has a name – Superbook. Superbook has the biggest football contest called the SuperContest. By itself this contest has garnered more publicity for the Westgate Las Vegas sportsbook than any other sportsbook in town and for some people it’s the main reason they visit the hotel. The Superbook is almost finished with an amazing renovation. The huge sportsbook has upgraded its old TVs to the largest individual screen in any Las Vegas sportsbook. A new 100 foot bar will be opening within the next week and a new seating plan will be revealed. These changes should keep the Superbook as the mecca of sportsbooks in Las Vegas. Note, every NFL Sunday they open the 1,500 seat theater and have all of the games on huge HD screens. There is a remote betting station and cheap beer and hot dogs just outside the theater. There is a lot of history in this sportsbook and hotel and it’s definitely worth a visit for any hardcore sports fan.

4. MGM Grand

MGM Grand renovated their sportsbook a few years ago and it still looks new and clean. The MGM Grand is headquarters for the MGM Resorts sportsbooks (Mandalay Bay, Luxor, etc.) so there is a lot of action here. Since MGM Grand is so big and hosts so many sporting events (UFC, Boxing, Basketball) this sportsbook is almost always crowded and full of energy. The size of the casino also affects point spreads because you’ll get many more people betting from major markets than some other sportsbooks. The MGM Grand sportsbook is somewhat narrow but there are plenty of big leather chairs and big TV screens to watch the games.

5. Red Rock

The sportsbook at Red Rock Resort is possibly the best sportsbook off the Vegas Strip and it just got even better. The best quality of the Red Rock sportsbook used to be it’s size and flexibility. This sportsbook recently updated their enormous 3 TV screens. These are now the brightest you’ll find in Las Vegas. Additionally these screens can be programmed to change size based on viewer (and bettor) preference. The layout of the sportsbook hasn’t changed and about 2/3rds of the seating are desks with banquet chairs and individual TV’s. The other 1/3rd of seating are lounge chairs. Cocktail waitresses are always walking around so drinks flow quickly. Depending on your ticket writer drink tickets can be fairly easy to come by. If you don’t get one just ask. The Red Rock sportsbook is always packed for football and the energy is great. There is a bar in the back of the sportsbook that offers more chairs, video poker and great bartenders. Seriously though, the new TV screens are life changing.

6. Lagasse’s Stadium

Lagasse’s Stadium is much more than a traditional sportsbook. Located inside The Palazzo, Lagasse’s Stadium is also a bar, a restaurant, a casino and a lounge. The main stadium seating area (with couches and ottomans) is surrounded by more couches above and cocktail tables above and at the base. Waitresses are plentiful so there’s never a time you should be without food or drink. This is a benefit and a curse. You’ll be compelled to eat and/or drink and that can get pricey. Plus this place is popular with casual sports fans and for NFL Sunday and major sporting events you’ll have to pay a minimum per person for food and drink just to sit in the plush environment. Reservations are always recommended for these days. The only other downside to Lagasse’s Stadium is that the main seating area TV screens are showing their age and could use updating. Regardless, Lagasse’s Stadium is one of the best sportsbook in Las Vegas.

7. Bellagio

A recent remodel with plush leather chairs and a spacious lounge area featuring Interactive Pro Tables pushes the Bellagio’s 5,600 square-foot Race and Sportsbook into our top 10. Bellagio is a second home for many high rollers, so if you are looking to bet big this is a good place to place to be. It’s not just for high rollers though. In fact, the interior section of the adjoining Starting Gate bar features several 25 cent “9/5” Jacks or Better video poker machines. Not the best video poker in town, but not bad for a sports bar at an upscale hotel on the Strip.

8. M Resort’s Race & Sports Book

M Resort is home to the first CG Technology sportsbook. While it’s technically on the Vegas Strip, it’s location (about 4 miles south of Mandalay Bay) makes it an off-Strip property. CG Technology caters to large bettors and even though there are now 6 other CG Technology sportsbooks in Las Vegas this is still headquarters for many big sports bettors. These kind of bettors make for great learning opportunities. Sitting with smart sports bettors is a great way to learn about good and bad ways to bet on the games.

While many of the CG Technology sportsbooks have beautiful and large screens the M Resort sportsbook TV’s haven’t been updated since being installed and could use some freshening up. The Vig Deli is next to the sportsbook and is one of the best quick serve dining options near any sportsbook in Las Vegas.

12300 Las Vegas Blvd S., (702) 797-1000 themresort.com

9. Wynn

Wynn is still one of the most luxurious casinos on the Vegas Strip, but while much of the property has received some upgrades the sportsbook is beginning to show its age with older TV screens and an almost vintage looking big board displaying point spreads. The room is comfortable and has ample seating and TV’s for any football Sunday but everything from the TV’s to the seating could use a little updating.

While there are many TV’s, they aren’t the massive screens available at the other sportsbooks on this list. The Wynn sportsbook is one of the few remaining independently operated sportsbooks and you’ll always get fair lines here. That’s the best thing going at this grand ole sportsbook.

10. Golden Nugget

The Golden Nugget sportsbook is another one of the more historic sportsbooks in Las Vegas. This one of the last independently operated sportsbooks which allow for different betting options. Their downtown location caters to a different customer than the Vegas Strip so you’ll see a lot of different point spreads than anywhere else. The Golden Nugget has a tradition of being the first sportsbook to release college football point spreads. This isn’t the largest sportsbook in Las Vegas but it’s one of the best options for betting in Downtown Vegas.

Do you have a favorite place to watch the big game or bet on the ponies? Join in the discussion and let us know.