The NCAA Basketball Tournament (AKA March Madness) is one of the most fun sports events on TV every year. While crowning a champion for the tournament at the end is great, that’s not the peak of viewing excitement. The first weekend of March Madness is the best four days of action and by far the best of any sports weekend. There are 16 games on each of the first two days and eight on the each of the latter two days.
That’s 48 games in four days and while it’s fun to watch, March Madness is, even more, fun to watch where you can legally wager on the game(s). Enter Las Vegas. Legal sports betting and this many basketball games is an explosive combination. The fun is more than any sports book can handle so there are watch parties anywhere casinos and their bars and restaurants can stick a few televisions.
The combination of March Madness, spring break, and St. Patrick’s Day means that hotels on the Vegas Strip will be near capacity. There will be many more people in Las Vegas to watch and wager on the games than almost every event during the year.
If being in a premier location is more important than the games and gambling this is the best area to see the games. There are plenty of great parties in unique locations. However, if you’re serious about college basketball and betting on the games you might want to look elsewhere to watch the games.
Sometimes the Vegas Madness can get in the way. Thanks to Uber ride-hailing and Lyft it’s relatively inexpensive to take a car a few miles away from the action on the Vegas Strip.
Related: Save Time And Money by Using Uber or Lyft at LAS (Airport)
Here’s Where You Should Watch The First Weekend Of Games During March Madness
The SOUTH POINT HOTEL CASINO AND SPA is mostly known as a casino catering to local Las Vegas residents, horse people (fans and riders), and bowlers. It’s also becoming the home for sports bettors in Las Vegas. In addition to a 24-hour sports book, VSiN, the Vegas Sports and Information Network, broadcasts from the casino floor. The new satellite radio station educates sports fans and bettors on sports in a different way then you’ll normally hear on mainstream radio.
One of the best secrets of the South Point is its parties for major events. The first weekend of March Madness is one of those major events. While the sports book offers some of the best and most fair odds in Las Vegas, it’s not where you want to watch the games in the ballroom. You’ll find signage for the March Madness party on the casino floor but it’s hidden from most people in the casino.
Head upstairs to the Grand Ballroom at the South Point for one of the best places to watch the games during the first weekend of March Madness. First of all, entry to this party is free. That’s a saving of about $100-$150 per person per day from the Vegas Strip March Madness watch parties. You’ll have to buy your own food and drink, but prices here at the South Point are as reasonable as you’ll find in a Las Vegas casino.
The money saved from the entry fee should remain intact even after spending money on F & B. Continuing the savings, you should still have money leftover to cover the ride to South Point and some small wagers.
The seating for these parties is usually set up banquet style with many chairs around large round tables. This is the perfect location for large groups of people who want to sit together and watch the games. There are multiple large projection screens and HD TV’s all over the ballroom to watch the games.
Don’t worry about wagering on the games. South Point brings the sports book to you. They will set up more betting stations than you’ll find at most sports books on the Vegas Strip. If you wager enough you should receive complimentary drink tickets to save a few bucks on your next beer or cocktail.
The March Madness Party at South Point starts at 8am from Thursday, March 16th and continues through Saturday, March 18th. You can find more information the South Point website.
Where do you like to enjoy all the March Madness action when in Vegas?
