The March Madness college basketball tournament begins Tuesday with the first play-in games, but the main event is this Thursday through Sunday, as visitors from all over the country come in for opening weekend. You really can’t go wrong if you watch the games in any casino sports book or non-casino sports bar, but following is a rundown with several specific recommendations for viewing parties and wagering tie-ins.
Parties With No Cover
The following viewing parties are free to attend. Most of these sell beer, hot dogs, and other food selections for $1.50-$5, and it’s the same in many of the off-Strip sports books. Places like Rampart, Arizona Charlie’s, the Stations, and the Boyds, even if they don’t have official viewing parties, are locks to be running drink specials that are a fraction of the price of their Strip counterparts.
El Cortez
Food and beverage specials during all games in the Fiesta Room including $1 hot dogs and Budweiser, and $3 Brats.
Orleans
March Hoopla: Free in the Mardi Gras Ballroom and other lounges throughout the casino. Food and Beer Specials ($2 Bud & Bud Light)
Gold Coast
Gold coast offers a free party in the ballroom, $2 hot dogs and Bud.
South Point
Party in the Grand Ballroom. Free admission with $16 aluminum Bud/Bud light buckets and $25 Bloody Mary & Margarita pitchers. Food specials are also available. This is traditionally the top party in town.
Treasure Island
Located in the ballroom, the event begins March 15 at 7:30 a.m. and continues through March 17. There will be a cash bar, concessions, and satellite betting stations.
Westgate: Hoops Central
The International Theater will open at 8:30 a.m. each day, with games kicking off at 9 a.m. General seating is first come, first served, reserved seating available for $25 per day, which includes one free beer.
Hoops at the Bars
Take advantage of food and drink specials starting at $3 inside the Westgate Cabaret, iBar, Highlimit Bar, The SuperBook Bar and all restaurants throughout the property.
Hoops in the Race & Sports SuperBook
The entirety of the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament can be viewed on the 4,488 square foot HD video screens inside the Race and Sports Book. Super Book Boxes start at $3,500.
Additionally, free parties have been announced for Aliante, California, Fremont, Main Street Station, Green Valley Ranch, and Palace Station.
Parties Charging a Cover
Ellis Island
Ellis Island’s March Mania! Choose from morning, evening or full day viewing options. Each ticket includes unlimited access to game day buffet, all you can drink Ellis Island Beer, Ellis Island March Mania t-shirt, and a raffle ticket to win prizes all day long! Tickets are $40 for morning (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) & evening (3 p.m.-10 p.m.) sessions or $70 all-day session.
Plaza
The Plaza will hold the March Mania Viewing Party in its Event Center. Admission to the party is $15 per day or $40 for all four days; both include a T-shirt and one complimentary drink and food choice per day.
Hard Rock Café – Las Vegas Strip
Hoops Madness with an open bar featuring call brand drinks and an all-you-can-eat. Tickets are $195 per day or $420 for all three days.
Cosmopolitan – Hoops & Hops
Thursday and Friday single day admission starting at $125 with open bar, 3-day passes also available.
Caesars Palace – Race & Sports Book
Food and beverage packages for the Race & Sports Book start at $100. Reservations required. Alto Bar will have an all-you-care-to-eat buffet for $299 per person per day or a three-day package for $750.
The D
Party at the Detroit Ballroom with food and drinks. Blackjack and craps tables as well as a William Hill betting station. Private Man Cave areas are available for $175 per person with a six-person minimum.
Flamingo Las Vegas
Garden Bar raffle prizes are up for grabs throughout the games. Food and drink packages start at $75 per person, available Saturday and Sunday only, and include a bucket of beers and food from Café To Go. Book online or call 702-604-8801. The 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar offers food and beverage packages starting at $75 per person and include a bucket of beers and snacks.
Harrah’s Las Vegas
Race & Sports Book: The newly remodeled, state-of-the-art Race & Sports Book at Harrah’s Las Vegas will be offering packages starting at $150, which includes a bucket of beer.
Planet Hollywood
General admission is $150 per day and includes open beer bar, all-you-can-eat time-out buffet, live betting stations, giveaways by models, and much more.
Palazzo
Lagasse’s Stadium, $200-$300 minimum per person.
The LINQ
The POOL at The LINQ offers the game poolside with a $99 package that includes a premium game day buffet featuring Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar’s famous wings, giveaways and more. Cabanas can also be reserved for an additional cost.
Paris
Le Bar Du Sport will be offering a variety of food and beverage packages ranging from $25-$200.
SLS
Umami Burger, Beer Garden & Sports Book will host four days of Hoops Madness viewing parties complete with merchandise giveaways, open bar, and hosted food packages. Packages start at $50 per person.
Sapphire Gentleman’s Club
All packages include a complimentary buffet, front line admission and re-entry, no cover charge, VIP table on main floor, and free limo transportation to the club. Packages start at $30.
Crazy Horse III
Book your package online, $50 per person. Plus enjoy Bud Light beer bucket specials, $20.
Top Sports Bars On the Strip
Tap at MGM Grand
Topgolf by MGM Grand
Lagasse’s Stadium in The Palazzo
Blondies Sports Bar & Grill in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Yard House at The LINQ Promenade
Beerhaus at The Park
Gambling Deals
March Madness Contests
If you’re betting the games, one way to make your action stretch and also have a shot at winning a lot for a little is to enter a contest. There are two casino contests.
Last Man Standing – Station Casinos – The entry fee for Stations “Last Man Standing” is $25 and 100% of money collected will be paid as the winner-take-all first prize, with a $50,000 guarantee. Buy four entries and get a fifth free. Enter at a Station, Fiesta, or Wildfire property by 9 a.m. March 15.
Hoops Madness – Westgate – The “Hoops Madness Challenge” runs only through the conclusion of the Thursday and Friday games on opening weekend. The entry fee is $100 (max three) and 100% will be paid to the top three places. Enter at the Westgate by 10 p.m. March 14.
FanDuel – Or you can play from home (if your state allows DFS play) in FanDuel’s Bracket Pick’em contest. It’s free to play and all you have to do is choose five teams to compete for cash prizes from a $25,000 pool.
Betting Bonuses
If you’re betting individual games, look for places that will give you something extra for your action. For example, a $20 parlay or $50 straight bet at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur or Boulder gets you a “March Mania” T-shirt; any $20 bet at Fiesta Henderson gets a “plush basketball”; and a $20 bet at Rampart comes with a ticket for a raffle of $100 in free-play that’s held whenever a lower seed upsets a higher seed.
-105 at South Point
Starting with the Sweet Sixteen and continuing through the championship game, South Point will be dealing -105 lines on sides (bet $105 to win $100, as opposed to the standard $110/$100). That’s an excellent deal for bettors that probably won’t be matched elsewhere in town.
Free Betting Seminar – Sunset Station
If you’re looking for advice on which teams to bet, Sunset Station is hosting a free betting seminar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on March 13.
VSiN
The VSiN sports betting network will have ongoing coverage focusing on the betting lines. You can listen on SirusXM channel 204 or watch online at VSiN.com.
Betting Lines
Get real-time lines in Las Vegas and offshore with our free lines service.
Video Poker Bonuses
Watch the games on multiple screens while taking advantage of video poker bonuses at the following.
Jackpot Bar and Grill (4360 S. Decatur) – Play-$500-get $50 on Thursdays (also Mondays).
Home Plate (2460 Warm Springs) – Play-$20-get-$20 on Sundays.
No Regrets (8349 W. Sunset Rd.)– Play-$100-get-$20 on Sundays (also Mondays).
Check back for late discoveries and post your own suggestions in the comments section.
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