Casinos cater to Super Bowl fans by offering ‘big game’ events

Tony Milazzo is watching his 35th Super Bowl in Las Vegas, but this year is a little special.

The Baton Rouge, La., resident is part of a group of 20 southern Louisiana residents who plan to cheer on their home-state New Orleans Saints during a viewing party at the Riviera.

"This is extra special because of the Saints," said Milazzo, whose party includes the sheriff of West Baton Rouge. "I've been coming for so long I've invited them. It's such a fun time for the Super Bowl in Vegas."

Milazzo, who arrived Friday at McCarran International Airport, said watching his Saints at the Strip resort is a better deal than trying to go to the game in Miami and pay "$4,000 to $5,000."

A lot of other people think so, too.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority anticipates 278,000 other people to visit Las Vegas this weekend, a 13.5 percent increase from last year's visitor totals. The nongaming impact from all those visitors is expected to be up 2.4 percent to $89.7 million.

"It's one of the biggest events of the year," said Jay Kornegay, Las Vegas Hilton's vice president of race and sports. "It's not just about the game itself. It's expanded into one of the bigger weekends that we have for the entire year."

Businesses are still not allowed to use the words "Super Bowl" in their promotions of parties and events surrounding Sunday's National Football League championship game.

Because of its stance against sports betting, the league has threatened legal action against casinos that use the Super Bowl name. But that hasn't deterred casinos from promoting "Big Game" activities at their properties or kept Super Bowl bets from becoming a major draw at local sports books.

Station Casinos, South Point and The Orleans, for instance, will show the game in a ballroom that is open to the public. NFL rules do not allow companies to charge admission to rooms where the game is being shown.

Casinos also can have free but private viewing parties for invited guests and VIPs away from the sports book.

Station Casinos and Boyd Gaming Corp., which owns nine locals casinos, are holding viewing parties for invited guests. The Las Vegas Hilton, the Palms, and Hard Rock Hotel will have viewing parties also.

The Palms will hold its viewing party for VIPs in its Fantasy Suites, including the Hardwood Suite where they can shoot hoops during breaks in the game.

The Hard Rock Hotel, which opened 824 new hotel rooms and 40,000 square feet of new casino space, is having a public party in Wasted Space and a party for invited guests at The Joint.

"Every year the big game helps to drive major business to the property," Mark Gore, the Hard Rock Hotel's casino general manager, said. "This year specifically, with our new casino recently opened, we expect to set property records in gaming due to the expected casino customers and crowds that will be attending the different events we are hosting."

In addition to viewing parties, many casinos will offer food or other specials to attract customers.

Station Casinos, for instance, will offer $1 hot dogs and $1 Budweisers at its 10 hotel properties this Sunday.

"This is a really big weekend for us," Station Casinos spokeswoman Lori Nelson said, saying they expect to sell 30,000 hot dogs and 60,000 beers this weekend. "We use the weekend to attract a lot of our big players."

Many properties -- including South Point, Tropicana, The Orleans -- are bringing in former NFL players for autograph sessions prior to the Super Bowl.

For Boyd Gaming Corp., whose properties include Sam's Town, The Orleans and Suncoast, this weekend is one of the biggest on its winter calendar.

"It's far more than just the sports book," Boyd spokesman David Strow said. "On Sunday, you'll be able to see the game pretty much in every nook and cranny of the casino."

MGM Mirage is expecting a big weekend even without a lot of extra hype.

The gaming company said it has sold out or is near selling out at its 10 Strip properties even though it is not holding any special game-day parties or promotions.

"The primary attraction for this weekend is the big game," company spokeswoman Yvette Monet said. "Word is out that Las Vegas is the place to be this weekend if you like to have fun watching the big game."

Frank Kunovic III, special games manager for both properties, said the game brings a lot of excitement beyond the sports book and into the casino.

"We are looking forward to a robust weekend," Kunovic said. "Any day that sells out hotels is a good day for Las Vegas, and the Super Bowl is one of those days."

Contact reporter Arnold M. Knightly at aknightly@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.