Operator News

US – Caesars launches Fan Caves at The Book at the LINQ

By Phil - 15 October 2018

Caesars Entertainment has opened what it describes as the ‘ultimate sports viewing destination’ at its LINQ Casino in Las Vegas, which includes Fan Caves for ten people to bet from.

Covering 11,000 square feet of the property’s first floor, it boasts 87 TVs that can be split into more than 130 screens, including what Caesars claims is the Strip’s highest-resolution LED video wall.

Caesars officially opened The Book with NFL legend and Hall of Famer Terrell Owens on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Owens joined Caesars Entertainment CEO and President Mark Frissora, for a celebratory pass and spike of the football to commemorate the occasion.

The latest evolution of the sports book, The Book enhances the traditional sports book model and is designed for guests to take full control of their gaming odyssey. With innovative technology, mobile and self-serve opportunities, and plenty of sports and bar games to engage in, The Book is immersive and socially-driven.

“Caesars Entertainment has made significant investments in our gaming and entertainment offerings, meeting changing customers’ demands, maximising opportunities afforded by new sports betting legislation, and redefining the future of gaming,” said Mr. Frissora. “The Book is an exciting example of just that.”

One of The Book’s main attractions are the 12 Fan Caves, which feature seating for up to 10 people and a 98-inch TV that can be split into four screens and offers audio zone control, all from a personal tablet. There are also a pair of 49-inch TVs, Xbox game consoles and virtual reality headsets. Caesars describes them as ‘the Strip’s first rentable living rooms for you and your friends on game day.’ Featuring 98” guest-controlled televisions, Xboxes, virtual reality headsets, your own unique audio zone, bottle and drink service and more. Twelve Fan Caves, with food and beverage packages, are available to purchase for the big game or a casual hang. The Relay Robot can deliver bottled non-alcoholic beverages direct to the Fan Cave. Players can bet on live sports via Caesars’newly designed Betting Desk, the Caesars Sports App on their personal phone, or through self-serve betting kiosks within the space, which will launch in early 2019. Bettors can take a position on The Book’s leaderboards and gain bragging rights for the day’s best parlay, long shot and more.

The Book also features a self-serve beer wall with 24 taps including lagers, favorites and IPA’s, Selections include Ballast Point Mango Even Keel Sessions IPA and locally brewed Tenaya Creek Bonanza Brown Ale.

Matt Kenagy, Senior Director of Strategic Development and Enterprise Gaming for Caesars Entertainment said: “This is what we think the gaming floor of the future is going to look like. What we’ve done is reinvent the old-school sportsbook model. We’ve incorporated what people love about arenas and stadiums and their favourite bars and even their own living room. We took all of those attributes and created what we feel is the race and sports experience of the future.”

“The feedback has been great,” Mr. Kenagy said of the caves. “We’ve found that sports fans want to control their environment, and this allows for that. The Xboxes have been very popular so far. Guys love queuing up a game of Madden during halftime of the game they are watching.”

The next phase of the Linq’s renovation is to fill the area surrounding The Book with even more interactive and immersive games with the concept set to be rolled out at other Caesars casinos over the coming years.

“This is the incubator,” said Walt Foles, Caesars Senior Vice President of Strategic Development. “It’s the perfect space for it. It’s right on the Strip, the LINQ Promenade is right outside, and it typically draws a younger crowd. We’re going to watch and learn from this, listen to the feedback and try to make the experience better every day. But we wouldn’t be surprised if this is the kind of model that many of our other properties begin to share in the not-too-distant future.”