A week after announcing that it has acquired sports betting facilities at some of the most iconic casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, William Hill US is heading eastwards to Florida to open its first racebook in the state.
In a statement from Monday, William Hill US announced that it has teamed up with Casino Miami to launch a William Hill Race Book at the property.
The facility is expected to open doors sometime next month, pending regulatory approvals. William Hill US said Monday that the racebook will feature a state-of-the-art viewing facility, among other amenities.
It will occupy 2,300 square feet of renovated space next to Casino Miami’s poker room. The racebook will feature ten 50-inch TV screens and a 30-foot video wall that will provide racing fans with the opportunity to watch a wide number of tracks simultaneously. As for the seating options at the facility, these will include high-top tables with plush chairs and 30 race carrells.
The William Hill Race Book at Casino Miami will offer pari-mutuel simulcast wagering. Customers will be able to watch and place bets on major thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound tracks as well as jai alai from around the United States.
William Hill Enters Florida as State Lawmakers Gear Up for Betting Legalization Debate
Of the upcoming launch of their first Florida facility, William Hill US CEO Joe Asher said Monday that “Casino Miami is a great location with a modern space where we have created a first-class experience for all racing fans in the area.”
Casino Miami’s owner, businessman Phil Ruffin, added that with “unparalleled expertise and rich history in racing”, William Hill will bring state-of-the-art technology and innovation to his property. Mr. Ruffin, who purchased Casino Miami late last year, also noted that the new racebook will provide them with “an incredible amenity for guests” and will place them “at the forefront of the forthcoming Florida sports betting business.”
News about William Hill’s entry into Florida came shortly after state Sen. Jeff Brandes filed a trio of bills calling for the legalization of sports betting in the state. The bills are set to be reviewed by lawmakers during the new legislative session, which starts early next year.
It is to be seen whether the sports betting debate will gain any traction in the Legislature, but setting foot in Florida with a racebook will certainly provide William Hill with competitive advantage over other companies interested to conduct sports betting activities on the territory of the state, should the practice become legal there.
Last week, William Hill announced that it has acquired the sportsbook assets of CG Technology, which include betting facilities at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, The Venetian, The Palazzo, the Palms, Tropicana, and Silverton. The deal further cemented the major British bookmaker as a leader in the Nevada sports betting field, where it operates just under 120 of the state’s approximately 200 sportsbooks.
Source: Casino Miami to open William Hill Race Book, CasinoBeats
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