Sports Books
Rio Race and Sports Book |
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Rio Race and Sports Book Details
- Hours of operation: Open Mon.-Thur. from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. with extended hours during football season.
- Payment options: Cash, casino chips and winning tickets.
- Location: Located on the main floor near the front desk and Mah Jong Chinese Kitchen at the Rio hotel-casino.
- Type of betting offered: Parimutuel wagering on racing (with house futures on the Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup), daily games, sports futures and some propositions. Betting is available on virtually any sporting event, including professional and college football, professional baseball, professional and college basketball, boxing, professional hockey, golf and auto racing.
- Number of televisions: It boasts two big-screen TVs, 12 70-inch TVs and 20 32-inch monitors.
- Big screens: Two.
- Largest TV: It measures 6 by 8 feet.
- Food and drinks: Cocktail service is available. Food can be found at the adjacent Sports Deli, which serves upscale burgers, bratwursts, wood-fired pizza and homemade sandwiches. Patrons can also get food at the Mah Jong Chinese Kitchen.
- Seating: 60 seats and seven booths.
- Race and sports book director / manager: David Pemberton.
- Lines posted: By 8 a.m. daily.
- Line originator: Lines are created and monitored and at Rio.
- Betting service offered: Pay-by-mail.
- Comps and specials: Comps in the race and sports books are issued when betting criteria is met.
- Special events or contests: Losing ticket drawings for prizes are held every Monday and Tuesday. Double points for race play is given on the Total Rewards Card on Mondays and Tuesdays. T-shirt giveaways are offered during big events with $20 in play.
Rio Race and Sports Book Review
The Rio offers both a race and an adjacent sports book. The action on the televisions provides the visual barrier between the two.
The Rio does not offer either the coziness or vastness to be considered a destination sports book. But if you're staying in the casino, it's a worthwhile option. And despite being in the midsize range, it's a relatively laid-back place for timid and first-time bettors. This is especially the case midweek and during the summer months.
The Rio books offer plenty of seating and televisions, and the viewing area is adequately designed. Like most books, it's typically the slowest during the baseball season, and it's a good idea to arrive early for the Super Bowl, the NCAA men's basketball tournament, the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup.
The Rio offers the futures odds on large events, propositions on some major events and daily action from all major sports.
-- Review by Paul Mello
