The sports gambling industry is going to be a fiercely competitive one. We’re already seeing signs of thisand sportsbooks are going to have to go above and beyond if they want to stand out from the rest and capture a larger market share. Caesars Southern Indiana realized this early on, and placed a huge bet that pulling out all the stops on its new sportsbook would help it win over gamblers and become the go-to wagering location in the state.
Caesars unveiled its new $90-million casino last week and, at center stage is its sportsbook, operated under the Caesars The Book brand. The casino operator realizes that casinos are no longer just about slot machines and table games, and that drawing in new types of gamblers is key to success. The Book hopes to realize that goal.
The sportsbook at Caesars Southern Indiana is designed to offer the ultimate sports gambling experience. It has cushioned lounge chairs, 30 large TVs, three “fan caves” – private seating areas close to the venue’s large TV wall that can be used for private events, but which really don’t have any resemblance to caves. The “caves” even come equipped with their own TV and an Xbox to keep busy between the sports action.
Sports fans and gamblers are going to dizzily try to keep up with the action on the various screens, but this will be part of the fun. Wagers can be placed at the betting counter, which currently has four stations, and self-service kiosks will be added soon, possibly even this week. Brad Siegal, the GM of the casino, told casino.org, “I think that guests will find that they can make their bets and hang out in the sportsbook. It’s a great, just a lively environment. I think people will be coming out Saturday and Sunday to spend the day with us.”
Sports gambling may have gotten off to a slow start in Indiana, but this doesn’t mean that it will remain a fledgling industry. When any new business is launched, the owners are cautioned to have the ability to carry themselves for 12-18 months before a profit begins to be seen. There is no difference with sports gambling, which is only just now coming online across the entire country as states authorize the activity.
Indiana just legalized sports gambling in May 2019. There is still a lot of work to be done, but the numbers continue to improve. Caesars is gambling on the premise that bettors want more than just a kiosk that spits out a betting slip, and the odds are in its favor.
