Are you feeling lucky?
The betting at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, starting next week, is rolling out the red carpet so to speak for those looking to bet their way through March Madness. The Borgata is home to two different betting venues: BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar and Level One Cocktail Bar & Lounge, and you don’t have to be a pro to win big here.
“We’re here to help and to not make it intimidating,” says Thomas Gable, Director of Race and Sports Betting at Borgata. “I totally understand when somebody walks in and they see all of these numbers on the big board. It can be overwhelming, so, don’t ever be afraid to ask for help because that’s what we’re here for. All of the cashiers are trained to help and to explain to first-time betters. Maybe you know which team you want to bet on, but you just quite can’t verbalize that yet….They’ll guide you through that and what you want to do.”
Gable went on to explain that although there is one space in the seaside casino that has a more serious atmosphere, the BetMGM Sportsbook, which opened in 2019, is a prime location for beginners and groups to partake in this year’s March Madness—safely, of course.
“It’s a very lively, social place. With COVID, it’s socially distanced, but, under normal circumstances, that room can get very full of people. Big games or fight nights, you can have wall to wall people in there then,” he explains.
From March 19 to 22, the Borgata is offering fans the chance to reserve a socially-distant seat for the early session, the late session, or all day viewing at one of Borgata’s prime viewing locations.
“This is probably the most exciting betting opportunity for people, and you see that with the large groups that come out before March Madness. People travel together, and it’s really the way the whole tournament is set up. You have games starting around noon locally, all the way through the evening—so, it’s non-stop action all day long. So many games going on at one time, there’s just so much opportunity for people there to wager. It really makes it exciting when you have that many games going on in a day, all day long,” says Gable.
If you don’t have a ton of experience, no problem. “We see beginners practically every week,” continues Gable.
The director, who has been with the property since the start of its development gave one crucial tip for betters who are heading to the Borgata this month. “If you’re just starting and don’t have a lot of experience, the best advice I could give you is to not wait to place your bet until the last second,” he explains. “People wait right until tip-off, and there’s typically a line, people are trying to get their bets in last minute.”
During COVID, both Sportsbooks will be socially distanced, and the casino has also set up the event center as a waging and viewing area for the tournament, which will help add hundreds of more spots available for groups. But Gable explains that reservations are still better late than never.
“Check out the website to check out the page regarding the tournament and hotel offers, as well as food and drink specials that would be going up there. I would encourage you to make a reservation in advance, make that for the seat whether in Sportsbook or event center… Because I think that we offer two distinct experiences here that you can’t get elsewhere in the market.”
To learn more about March Madness at the Borgata Casino Hotel & Spa, visit theborgata.com
