Cromwell unveils new sports book, touts lower minimum bets at table games

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Christopher DeVargas

The Cromwell opens its new sports book on Aug. 22, 2017.

Wed, Aug 23, 2017 (2 a.m.)

The Cromwell on the Las Vegas Strip is making changes to its casino floor.

On Tuesday, the Caesars Entertainment resort debuted a new 50-seat sports book in the northeast corner of the property, with retired boxing champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley placing the ceremonial first bet.

It also recently started offering single “0” roulette, EZ Baccarat, 3-to-2 payout on blackjack in double-deck and shoe games, and 100 times odds on craps. The casino lowered the minimum bets on many of its tables to make them more accessible.

Industry experts have long complained that Strip properties are driving away gamblers by offering games tilted too heavily in favor of the house. Cromwell officials feel its changes address some of those concerns.

“We think it’s a calculated risk,” said Blake Segal, the Cromwell general manager. “And while there is some amount of discounting off the current base of revenues, we hope that this appeals to a larger audience and they’ll find their way here and make up the discounting and then some. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be doing it, obviously.”

The book boasts a 32-foot-long by 9-foot-tall LED video wall and a 9-foot-by-5-foot LED odds wall. Segal says the changes fit well with the Cromwell’s old school Las Vegas feel and are necessary given the competition on the Strip.

“Given that we only have 188 rooms, (the Cromwell) is a property that needs to rely on visitation from outside the building,” Segal said. “And we find this to be a way to drive a person off the Las Vegas Strip and into the property. And for locals, well obviously the locals market will go to a local property to game. But now they can come to the Las Vegas Strip and have a place to game as well.”

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