Nicest Place (no live racing)

[Redboard]

What is the nicest place you ever made a bet from? Not including racetracks that are holding live meets, meaning that the business is operating as an OTB only. So no Saratoga or Del Mar (unless they are OTBs during the off season.) “From Home” doesn’t count either, must be from a business.

The term “nicest” is open to your interpretation. It may be a members-only room with comfy seats , large monitors or good beer. Or it may be a small place that has a “hot” pari-mutuel clerk, or bar tender, who’s also a trollop. My point is, it could be the infrastructure of the establishment that you like, or the people that work there. You are welcome to provide details. I’ll have mine in a little bit.

[thaskalos]

I will never forget the feeling that overwhelmed me when I first walked into the Mirage sportsbook in Las Vegas. I remember thinking that this would have to be exactly what a horseplayer would want heaven to look like...assuming, of course, that he could take with him some money to bet.

[lamboguy]

i liked the Mirage Hotel back in the 90's when they were taking matchups and house quinella's.

[PICSIX]

Off my pontoon in the middle of Hyco Lake :ThmbUp:

[elhelmete]

TAB in Sydney, NSW Australia (mult locations).

The OTB in Ventura, CA by the water (forget the name).

[ChickenOrTheEgg]

Mohegan. It's the only place I've been given free drinks while betting horses.

[srdnaty]

Mohegan. It's the only place I've been given free drinks while betting horses.

I second that! Plus the craps tables are not far away. I enjoying grabbing a seat at the bar, because you get more drinks that way.

[Teach]

Years ago at the Bellagio race book when it first opened. Plush furniture. Beautiful atmosphere. I felt like the Capo di Tutti!

[Spiderman]

I second that! Plus the craps tables are not far away. I enjoying grabbing a seat at the bar, because you get more drinks that way.

Mohegan has a great racebook. All betting can be done at your seat and a smoking area too! Good, inexpensive food selection at several locations.

[Stillriledup]

I will never forget the feeling that overwhelmed me when I first walked into the Mirage sportsbook in Las Vegas. I remember thinking that this would have to be exactly what a horseplayer would want heaven to look like...assuming, of course, that he could take with him some money to bet.

One of the greatest feelings in the world is being in Vegas with a roll of cash pounding the sports books with horse bets.

[horses4courses]

There are books in Vegas that I'm sure are fantastic - past and present.
I only get down there once in a blue moon, though.

Recently, I've discovered a hidden gem that's 30 minutes drive from me.
It's a William Hill book at Casino Fandango in Carson City, NV.

Spacious, well lit, desk and seating area for about 20 players.
Yes, it's small, but I doubt that they have more than a dozen
players at one time, except on Derby and BC days.

They have wireless internet, and they give 3% towards comps
on horse action. The food and service at the casino is good,
and with 6 good sized screens for racing, it's an enjoyable
place to play. House quinellas on selected tracks, also.

I had an enjoyable day there playing on the MLK Monday,
and I intend to play there more often this year, even
though I like playing at home, and there are other books
that are closer to me.

[NJ Stinks]

Like Thaskalos, the first time I walked into the Stardust Race & Sports Book I thought I died and went to heaven. Seriously.

It took me awhile to get over that space being bulldozed. :(


(My first time at the Stardust Race & Sports Book in Las Vegas was long before Simulcasting was available just about everywhere.)

[elhelmete]

I will also add Mohegan...very comfortable room.

Also have a soft spot for the Las Vegas Hilton. BIG book.

[NJ Stinks]

Recently, I've discovered a hidden gem that's 30 minutes drive from me.
It's a William Hill book at Casino Fandango in Carson City, NV.



You might like this story, Horses4courses.

I usually bet in one particular William Hill shop when I'm in London. A couple years ago I bet Jason Duffner each way at 33-1 to win the PGA Championship. My bet as written was "6 pounds each way on Jason Duffner". I paid the 12 pounds and that was that.

Duffner wins and I go to collect. I get paid a lot less than I had coming and question the payoff. The teller says I only had 3 pounds each way on Duffner and points to a print on my ticket that says my total bet was 6 pounds. I asked to speak to the manager.

At this point I know I should have looked closely at the ticket when I bought it and that I really don't have any proof that I bet 12 pounds.

Still, the manager knows who I am from previous trips to London. So he tells me he'll call the head office and see if he can get approval to pay me the 6 pounds each way as written by me on the ticket.

The next day he paid me for 6 pounds each way as written. He said he told his boss that I'm an American who is a steady player when in London. He also said I usually don't play "each way" bets and that I may have been confused by the amount to be bet.

I'd recommend William Hill to anybody who asked. I'd also vouch for Paddy Power as a great place to play if anyone gets the chance.

[olddaddy]

Like Thaskalos, the first time I walked into the Stardust Race & Sports Book I thought I died and went to heaven. Seriously.

It took me awhile to get over that space being bulldozed. :(


(My first time at the Stardust Race & Sports Book in Las Vegas was long before Simulcasting was available just about everywhere.)


After going to the Rose Bowl and Churchill Downs in Las Vegas for years and then to the Stardust when the race book opened, made me feel like I died and went to heaven also.

[Grits]

Off my pontoon in the middle of Hyco Lake :ThmbUp:

You, too? LOLOL

Sunning on top of my boat house, Lake Gaston.

[dansan]

Rosa Rita beach in Mexico small bar over looking the Pacific Ocean you could make bets simulcast

[thespaah]

What is the nicest place you ever made a bet from? Not including racetracks that are holding live meets, meaning that the business is operating as an OTB only. So no Saratoga or Del Mar (unless they are OTBs during the off season.) “From Home” doesn’t count either, must be from a business.

The term “nicest” is open to your interpretation. It may be a members-only room with comfy seats , large monitors or good beer. Or it may be a small place that has a “hot” pari-mutuel clerk, or bar tender, who’s also a trollop. My point is, it could be the infrastructure of the establishment that you like, or the people that work there. You are welcome to provide details. I’ll have mine in a little bit.
The racebook at Mohigan Sun is pretty nice.

[taxicab]

The old Flamingo Hilton in Reno used to have a nice race book......always enjoyed that property.
Also like the Suncoast in Vegas.....very cool.
We were in an Italian restaurant off the beaten path in Northern Illinois (?),it was a real nice place with excellent food and an OTB.
I can't remember the name of the place.......but I really liked it. :ThmbUp:

[appistappis]

mandelay bay in las vegas.

[SandyW]

The now closed Sport of Kings in Las Vegas was one nice place to play horses.

[jahura2]

Without a doubt Bellaggio sportsbook in Vegas.

[wisconsin]

We were in an Italian restaurant off the beaten path in Northern Illinois (?),it was a real nice place with excellent food and an OTB.
I can't remember the name of the place.......but I really liked it. :ThmbUp:

Nicolinos in McHenry

[wisconsin]

The Sports Spectrum in Merrilville, IN was pretty nice when it opened. Like going to Vegas, before the simulcasting era. Now, it's closing next month.

[illinoisbred]

Nicolinos in McHenry
Nice place and good food. I live just 2 miles south of Nicolino's and go there to wager when there's a power outage. I enjoyed the "local" otb when it was located at Andre's Steakhouse in Richmond,Il. too.

[Redboard]

I haven’t been to Las Vegas and haven’t been to too many OTBs, but of the ones that I’ve been to, I like Harrahs Casino in Chester, PA. I used to go there in the winter to play the Florida tracks. When they first built the casino around 10 years ago, they gave the horse players the entire first floor(now it’s 75% poker tables), and everything was brand new. It had a new bar with large screen TVs that also had ESPN or other sports playing. Plenty of monitors at the seating area. High ceiling with big picture windows so you had a view of the Delaware. You didn’t feel cramped in.

[wisconsin]

Nice place and good food. I live just 2 miles south of Nicolino's and go there to wager when there's a power outage. I enjoyed the "local" otb when it was located at Andre's Steakhouse in Richmond,Il. too.


Yeah, Andre's son really let that place run into the ground, and was stuck when Arlington pulled the plug. It was quite convenient for me.

[horses4courses]

The now closed Sport of Kings in Las Vegas was one nice place to play horses.

Wow....there's a blast from the past....Sport of Kings
They are a chapter by themselves in any book written on Vegas books.

Their M.O. was to give the bettors a fair shake with fixed odds, etc.
I can't remember who set it up - maybe someone on here can help me out.
Didn't take long before they had a ton of wise action coming from
all over the country on every steam horse imaginable.
Did they even last 6 months?

Intentions were good - but the same could be said of the Hindenburg. ;)

[Bettowin]

Last summer from the deck of a rental house in Northern Minnesota overlooking the lake as the sun went down:)

The Atlantis sportsbook wasn't to shabby either just because one could run out to the pool or beach inbetween bets.

[PICSIX]

You, too? LOLOL

Sunning on top of my boat house, Lake Gaston.

Very Nice...Lake Gaston is beautiful :ThmbUp:

[BettinBilly]

I have to give the the nod to "Wynn" Las Vegas. It's got that dark wood "Boardroom" feel that I really like.

Close 2nd would be about 5 other books in Las Vegas.

[bello]

Victoryland Dog Track Shorter Alabama before the governor forsed them to close the casino.

[jimmy m]

I used to love Mc Duffys sports bar in Tempe Az.When I lived in Phoenix in the 90s used to go there all the time during the summer when Turf was closed. Food was decent and it always cold with that summer heat.They sold it to Az State in the early 2000,s and now its gone.