William Hill recently received a slew of recommendations from the Nevada Gaming Control Board to operate sportsbooks throughout the state of Nevada. On Jan. 9, the international sportsbook operator received a recommendation for approval to operate sportsbooks at the following casinos:
- Aquarius (Laughlin)
- Arizona Charlie’s Decatur (Las Vegas)
- Arizona Charlie’s Boulder (Las Vegas)
- Eldorado (Reno)
- Jerry’s Nugget (Las Vegas)
- Montbleau (Reno)
- Stratosphere (Las Vegas)
William Hill operates more than 100 sportsbooks throughout Nevada. Most of the new sportsbooks on their roster have been expected. Last year they signed a deal to operate Golden Entertainment sportsbooks.
Aquarius, Arizona Charlie’s (both), and the Stratosphere are all owned by Golden Entertainment. In addition to casino sportsbooks, William Hill already has sports wagering kiosks inside approximately 80 Golden Entertainment pubs and taverns around the state including all PT’s Pub locations.
William Hill also signed a deal to operate Eldorado Resorts sportsbooks across the US. Montbleau and Eldorado in Reno are both owned by Eldorado Resorts casinos. William Hill already operates sportsbooks at their Circus Circus, Silverado, and Tropicana Laughlin casinos.
The surprise casino in the slew of approvals is Jerry’s Nugget.
William Hill is taking over independent sportsbooks
There will be one fewer independent sportsbook operator in Las Vegas when William Hill takes over sportsbook operations at Jerry’s Nugget. In fact, the deal with Golden Entertainment cuts the number of independently operated sportsbooks on the Vegas Strip by a third.
The Stratosphere was one of three independent sportsbook operators on the Vegas Strip. When William Hill takes over the Stratosphere, Wynn (and Encore) and Treasure Island will be the only independent sportsbook operators remaining on the Vegas Strip.
It’s becoming more difficult for sports bettors to find different odds and wagering opportunities.
The majority of sportsbooks on the Vegas Strip are operated by two companies. MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment operate sportsbooks in 17 of 26 casinos.
For the time being, William Hill operates 7 of 11 casinos in downtown Las Vegas. That number will decrease when the Stevens Group begins operations later this year.
Around Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming operates sportsbooks in 10 casinos, while Station Casinos operates 18 properties in Las Vegas including Fiesta and Wildfire.
Remaining independent sportsbooks in Las Vegas
Even though consolidation is creating large sportsbook operations, there are still a handful of independent sportsbook operators in Las Vegas. Sports bettors in Las Vegas can still find unique wagering opportunities at the following casinos.
- Golden Nugget
- South Point and Rampart (odds originate at South Point)
- Treasure Island
- Westgate
- Wynn
William Hill is expanding across America, not just Nevada
The European bookmaker expanded to the US when they acquired Lucky’s, Leroy’s, and Cal-Neva. They now operate more than 100 sportsbooks of all sizes and a mobile wagering app in Nevada. However, Nevada was just the beginning of expansion for William Hill.
More recently they’ve been signing deals with casino operators and racetracks to operate sportsbooks in other states as sports wagering is legalized in other states. William Hill currently operates sportsbooks in the following states outside of Nevada:
- Deleware
- Mississippi
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
William Hill is the only sportsbook operator to operate in every state that offers legal sports betting. The partnerships with Eldorado and Golden Entertainment are just the beginning of William Hill’s expansion across the US.
