Green Valley Ranch Race and Sports Book

Review

Who says size doesn't matter?

Green Valley Ranch Station casino opened its new, massive race and sports book in October 2006, modeled after the look of its flagship Red Rock Station book. The new book is much bigger than the original that had been in place since the property opened five years ago, and so are the crowds, according to race and sports book manager Kelly Downey.

"Everything is going really well. It has been packed here on the weekends. If you want to come watch a game, this is a gorgeous place to do it," Downey said. "The lounge area in the sports book is rocking every evening, too."

Downey said the race and sports book took the best of the Red Rock Station model and went a step further.

"We have the five big screens, and the book is a little more airy. We tried to look at it from a player's point of view as well as it being a place to work," he said.

The book has 170 seats, and each offers its own TV that can view races or sports events.

The sports book arena also has two restaurants -- the Turf Grill and Tides Oyster Bar, and the lounge in the center.

"We offer food service from the Turf Grill to the lounge. Waitresses will come over and take your order and deliver the food there. It's a nice
amenity."

For the race players, Green Valley Ranch also offers betting machines that allow players to have action without having to leave their seats.

"We have ITT machines on screens at the race book seats so players can just sit in their chair and make their bets -- they never have to get out of their seats. It's a really nice option because they don't have to worry about getting shut out of a certain race and they won't get the wrong ticket by mistake. They can do everything right there. It's really convenient," Downey said.

As a Station Casinos property, Green Valley Ranch also offers The Great Giveaway football contest and other seasonal tournaments, and books futures bets, propositions on major events, major horse races, and weekly odds for golf, NASCAR, and tennis and lines on major boxing matches.

-- Review by Sal DeFilippo