I have been to plenty of sports books in Vegas. I have been waiting for a large portion of my adult life for legalized sports betting near me. Finally, I have my wish. What exactly am I looking for in a sports book? Speed, easy to make wagers, lots of seating and easy way to watch all the games. In theory that should be easy to accomplish. Most Vegas books have been around forever and know exactly what they are doing. This entire legalization and roll out in Pennsylvania has felt rushed and casinos are somehow not prepared.
I made my first visit to the Rivers Casino Sports book during the day of the Steelers and Patriots game. I was well aware that it was going to be busy and the casino would be packed. What I was not prepared for was the lack of preparation by Rivers. What did they think was going to happen? Were they not aware that when you are raised in Pittsburgh gambling is just in your DNA?
I got to the casino at around noon and I figured that having one hour to locate the sports book, get in line and place wagers prior to the early window of games starting would be easy. Did that happen? Nope. Was that my fault? Absolutely not. The sports book is slightly deeper into the casino and off to the left of one of the main bars. The location makes sense to me. They want people to have to walk past different bars and pits of table games in order to get to the book itself. It does feel like the sports book was squeezed into a tiny area right next to a bar. One thing that is convenient is that the free pop machine was right next to the watching area. I did not have any pop, only some Fat Head’s beer.
Problems
12:20 There was a massive line when I finally got to the book. I again thought oh no big deal, it doesn’t take too long to place bets. However, there were two lines. One was to use the automated machines, the other the betting window and deal with a real person. There was zero explanation as to which line people should go in. Someone in the line said you can’t do parlays or teasers on the kiosks. I thought there is no way that is true, but couldn’t risk my spot in line to find out. There were only five digital kiosks to make wagers. I have been told that they added a few more recently though.
12:40 While in line a person flashed their rivers casino card showing they were a higher-level player, that person was immediately taken from the line and escorted to the front. No member of Rivers said anything to the rest of the customers. I could see how this would make sense if you earned comps or status at the casino when you wager, but they do not swipe your card and track your wagers in the sports book. Very few sports books do this, but some do give out drink tickets when you wager a certain threshold of money.
12:55 When I finally got to the front part of the line it was clear that one betting window was just not open. WHAT? WHY? There are people in line waiting to give their money away and the casino was not able to make that happen.
12:56 Another teller came in and began to open the window that was closed. Awesome, this should speed things up.
12:57 One of the other windows began counting their drawer and closing up. WHAT IS HAPPENING. WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THIS SPORTS BOOK?! This is like going to a sports bar and them not having the games on at all times. I can’t even fathom what they were thinking. There is a line of at least 200 people behind me and they are going to not open a new window. THE GAMES START IN THREE MINUTES. THREE. KEEP THEM ALL OPEN.
12:58 The person who got to skip the line is still placing bets. I hope this person suffers a horrid beat and loses all their wagers today. I ain’t sorry. (Beyonce voice)
12:59 I finally get to the window. First wager is on the Ravens who are playing Tampa Bay. I lam laying 8. I go to place my second wager a big teaser… sorry sir teasers are not allowed?
Me: wait what? Why not?
Teller: it is now 1 PM.
Me: Alright (Phillip Rivers nose breathing GIF mixed with Anger from Inside Out GIF)
Me: I’ll take the Titans (against the Giants). I’ll also parlay the Titans and Ravens.
1:01 I collect my tickets which are absurdly long. If you follow me on Instagram or twitter you know I have been posting my betting slips. These Rivers betting slips are insanely long. They are the CVS receipt of betting slips. I have no idea what other information is on the bottom of the slip. You might be wondering why I was able to bet games after they started. Well, they have live wagering. There is a constant line that you can wager on. Since the games did not start I had the line at the moment and it had not changed. Live in-game wagering is going to be huge once we get an app. However, once the games start there is no screen or big board where they list the live lines. This is a massive mistake. What am I going to do get in this large line to wait and find out the live line? It is for sure going to change by the time I get up to the window anyway.
1:02 My dad wagers on the Steelers. Oddly, there are only two late games and one-night game. I kind of like the Steelers but want to tease them. I can’t tease them with the games I liked in the early window. Sucks.
1:08 A Rivers Casino employee tells me you can make wagers and cash tickets at the player’s club. THIS INFORMATION COULD HAVE BEEN USEFUL MAYBE AT 12:45. Did they not think to maybe; I don’t know tell people in the 200 person line this?!
Obviously, this is all brand new to them and they have some bugs to work out of the system. I would assume they would build a bigger dedicated sports book location and have it ready for next football season. I think even having two of more locations to take bets makes sense especially on game days. The biggest innovation would be adding an app and allowing mobile wager. It is allowed in neighboring states so it can’t be far behind. Oddly, Rivers is partnered with a non-traditional sports book operator. It is an Australian company. It is slightly difficult to find their odds online. I can currently find the numbers for almost every other sports book in seconds. As consumers we should be able to line shop in the future. If we want to bet the Steelers and the three online sports books in Pennsylvania are offering lines of -7, -7 and -6.5 I know where I am placing my wager. I really want to go to the sports book on a non-game day and see how my experience differs.
If you are new to sports betting I would suggest going on a non-major day and getting comfortable. For a majority of people this is a fun activity and they hope to make money but it is not the most important thing. Recreational players want to enjoy the experience. Let them wager easily, give them comfy chairs and a free drink with every wager. I don’t know how that works with the law in Pennsylvania casinos, but there has to be a way.
In the coming weeks I will discuss the sports book at Hollywood Casino near Hershey, Pennsylvania. Anyone want to join me?!
Win The Weekends 