While I love the CG Technology sportsbook at The Venetian, I feel like I’m no longer wanted during football season and probably won't return. This saddens me but life goes on and I can watch the games elsewhere.
Last weekend was my first visit to The Venetian sportsbook for an NFL Sunday this season and I saw that every seat, except for the very back row and bar, was reserved. These chairs and desks were reserved for CG's biggest players. Most of the seats at The Venetian book are now reserved for players wagering $500 and up per game. The more you wager per game the better your seat.
Frankly, this is smart business for CG Technology. They’re supporting their most loyal customers by offering them a perk that non-customers don’t receive. Since I rarely bet with CG Technology and never wager that much money per game, I won’t be returning for football season unless I’m in the mood to hang at the bar and drink (which is possible but unlikely).
The good news is that you have a great view from the sportsbook bar. The bad news is that bar stools are limited and may become uncomfortable after four hours of watching the games. The bar has 15 regular height stools with four low (handicapped) stools while the secondary bar (have to walk to get a drink) has 15 stools.
If you’re a high roller you can still sign up for an account and place your wagers in advance, so that you can have a comfortable seat. I can go anywhere to watch the games on a bar stool without being at the sportsbook at 8:30am. All stools were taken by 9 a.m.
To say business at The Venetian sportsbook was good on Sunday would be a disservice. There was a line of 20-30 people looking to place wagers from 9 a.m. on. When I left at 9:45 a.m., there were easily 50-100 people still waiting in line. Every desk at the book was open so you can't really complain about poor staffing.
However, CG claims to be a technology company. Why not get some extra employees out from behind the desk and in the line taking some of the wagers via mobile app. If In-N-Out Burger can send an employee out to expedite drive thru lines during their busy times, why can't a technology company?
Speaking of CG Technology books, one of theirs just grew a little. CG Technology didn’t expand the “cozy” sportsbook at the Hard Rock but the Hard Rock did just put the finishing touches on the Side Bet Bar. If you’ve ever been to the Hard Rock, you probably know the Side Bet Bar as that bar attached to the book that’s rarely open. Well, you’re in for a change.
The Side Bet Bar isn’t intended to replace the sportsbook. Rather, it will serve as an overflow bar on busy football days or just a sports bar on other nights. Side Bet Bar will have 16 beers on tap, seven 55-inch HDTVs and eight bar-top video poker machines.
If Side Bet is like most bars in Vegas, you’ll be able to drink one of those 16 taps at no additional charge if you’re playing video poker. Comp drinks, video poker and sports on brand new big TVs sounds great to me.
