Oct 25, 2018 The opening date for the new Golden Gate Casino sportsbook is pending a regulatory approval for Stevens to begin taking sports wagers. Currently, William Hill operates the sportsbooks at the Golden Gate and The D. That will change in 2019 when Derek Stevens brings the sportsbook operation in-house. What may rightfully be called this generation’s Steve Wynn (I mean that in a good way), Derek Stevens is the majority owner of both the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino and The D Las Vegas Hotel and Casino – casino bookends on opposite sides of Fremont Street in old downtown Las Vegas. He’s currently building a new casino on the land he owns on what used to be the Las Vegas Club Hotel & Casino.
Downtown Las Vegas is going to see a new independent sportsbook operator soon. According to Gaming Today, Derek Stevens, owner of The D, Golden Gate, and currently under construction 18 Fremont casinos will be bringing their sportsbook operations in-house.
The sportsbook at The D is currently operated by William Hill. While the Golden Gate doesn’t have a sportsbook yet, they do have a William Hill kiosk for bettors to place a wager. The casino currently under construction on the land once occupied by Las Vegas Club and other businesses has a working name of 18 Fremont. Stevens has repeatedly said the new casino will have a great sportsbook experience when it opens sometime in 2020.
William Hill will continue to operate the sportsbook at The D. However, plans are already underway to create a new in-house sportsbook operation. Stevens has hired Matt Metcalf as their first sportsbook director. If the name is familiar, that’s because Metcalf previously worked at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook under the tutelage of Jay Kornegay.
We reached out to The D for more information but haven’t received specifics about the new sportsbook operation. However, if Metcalf follows in the steps of Kornegay and the SuperBook team at Westgate we should expect to see fair lines and a Las Vegas sportsbook willing to take action.
Likewise, a director typically isn’t the head of sportsbook operations in a casino. It’s entirely possible a new third party will be brought onboard to assist with the new sportsbook operation. The new sportsbook operation should be launching later this year.
Plans for the new sportsbooks
Golden Gate Casino
As of the writing of this post the Golden Gate casino doesn’t have a sportsbook. That will change shortly. Vital Vegas recently reported that Golden Gate has started construction on a new area for slot machines in the casino. Now he’s shared photos of where a new sportsbook will be built at the Golden Gate.
Follow-up to yesterday's news (via @GamingTodayNews) Golden Gate is getting a sportsbook, we got a look at the space—currently storage area, behind temporary south wall of the casino's recent expansion into La Bayou footprint. pic.twitter.com/bZtHE3conL
— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) July 11, 2018
The D is a few blocks east of the Golden Gate Casino on Fremont Street. The casino currently has a small sportsbook with about 15 seats and older TV’s. Details haven’t been revealed for an update but at a minimum, a refresh of the small space might make sense. Stevens could find room to expand the sportsbook. There might be room in the Keno area at The D or it could move to another location.
18 Fremont is the working name of the new casino being built across the street from the Golden Gate. Plans for the sportsbook at the new casino are public yet. Stevens has said that he would like this to be one of the best – if not the best – sportsbooks in downtown Las Vegas.
Derek Stevens Golden Gate Casino Blackhawk
Stevens is a big sports fan and bettor. He frequently appears on VSiN (Vegas Stats & Information Network) as a guest. The D has also been home to some live broadcasts on VSIN. He has made wagers on every game of the first round of the NCAA tournament for the past two years. Not afraid of a little publicity, Stevens placed his March Madness bets at the South Point while live on the air at VSIN.
The D Las Vegas
Phoo by JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com