The 5 Best Casinos to Watch NCAA Basketball March Madness

Some sporting events are fine to watch at home, and some are more fun out at a venue. The NCAA Tournament is more of the latter, as games tip off at every hour of the day, and the action is frantic throughout.

Hardcore sports fans are best satiated at a sportsbook, which is enveloped with TV screens, sports betting lines, and service so they can stay in one spot as all of the simultaneous action unfolds.

In the United States, we’ve narrowed down our five favorite spots to plug into the NCAA Tournament to watch all of the madness and take in some college basketball betting.

FanDuel Sportsbook, Meadowlands | East Rutherford, N.J.

There’s a misconception that those in New York and New Jersey have to drive hours to get to a sportsbook. A 55-minute train ride from Penn Station will get you to the FanDuel Sportsbook in East Rutherford, right next to MetLife Stadium.

Inside is a sleek sportsbook with a chic feel. The lights are dim, the bar is massive, and, more importantly, there are TVs lining every corner of the sportsbook.

The good news is that typical of a modern sportsbook, the menu offers a lot more than just the basic beer and wings. You can get that classic duo, but there is also braised brisket, chicken and waffles, and a beurre blanc Atlantic salmon.

Wynn Race & Sportsbook | Las Vegas

After some recent renovations, the Wynn Race & Sportsbook is one of the top spots in Las Vegas to find a seat and enjoy a full day of action. This place feels like it’s a cut above, with a sophisticated interior design that includes plush red seats and stylish carpeting.

The highlight of this venue is a 1,600-square-foot wraparound LED video screen, offering a movie theater-like vibe. It’s great when there’s one major event on—like the Final Four—and everyone ends up with a good view no matter where they’re seated.

I’m a big fan of the high-tech touches here. Each seat has a personal monitor, electrical outlet, and USB plug. That is handy when you’re live betting, checking fantasy and scores, and your phone’s battery drains.

CONTACT Lounge & Sports Book | Biloxi, Miss.

Take a deep breath and relax inside the Palace Casino Resort. It’s the city’s only smoke-free casino and one of the few in the nation that turns away those indoor fumes.

CONTACT is the sportsbook inside the casino, and it earns high grades. It’s a comfortable, contemporary sports bar with more than 50 screens that offer sports betting and is a great place to watch games.

If you’re looking for booze or bites to accompany your meal, it’s worth noting that they have daily happy hours starting at 5 p.m. that include discounts on wings, food, and drinks.

Harrah’s Philadelphia

As sports betting and casinos become more and more accepted, they continue to inch closer to big cities. Harrah’s Philadelphia is just a 10-minute ride from Philadelphia International Airport.

The Book is mostly a casual place to watch sports, but it’s a bit more refined than a typical sports bar. There are televisions offering games no matter which way you look, so you’re bound to have a good view from almost anywhere.

SuperBook at Westgate Resort & Casino | Las Vegas

Those who are a little keener on getting action on the games will enjoy the SuperBook. Located one block east of Las Vegas Boulevard, this casino isn’t as touristy as the majors on The Strip, but it is renowned for opening the lines for most sporting events. It becomes a really fun place during March Madness, offering many great props during the NCAA Tournament.

And it’s quite the epic venue. There’s 30,000 square feet of space, along with 350 seats and an 18-foot tall (and 220-foot wide) video wall. When you start to feel the drama of the moment in March Madness—with an epic comeback or a final basket—this place really jumps.