Themed hotels and casinos are among the biggest tourist draws in Las Vegas. The most popular of these may be the New York-New York Hotel and Casino. Of course, because they focus so much on visuals and entertainment, this could theoretically mean their gambling experience is more accessory than the main attraction. Our New York-New York Las Vegas review will determine whether that’s the case.
Even if it is, you won’t catch us unjustly criticizing the hotel. Other places provide great accommodations without delivering top-notch sportsbook facilities. Just look at the ever-popular and highly rated Planet Hollywood.
Without spoiling anything, the New York-New York sportsbook follows a similar blueprint. Allow us to show you how.
New York-New York Sportsbook Experience
If a Vegas hotel and casino isn't going to blow you away with their sportsbook setup, they better deliver everywhere else. They also better at least give you bare-minimum sportsbook amenities. Very few people want to stay in Vegas and not at least have the option to indulge their inner sports bettor.
We've found that New York-New York does just that—albeit by the skin of their teeth.
Pros of New York-New York Hotel & Casino
- Roller coaster that goes in and out of the hotel
- Sportsbooks run contests and promos, in addition to booking private events
- Room rates start at $60.00, before daily resort fees
Cons of New York-New York Hotel & Casino
- Sportsbook seats under 50 people
- No bar or grill inside the sportsbook
- Higher-end resort fee
New York-New York Sportsbook Hours of Operation
- Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday-Saturday: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Please note that New York-New York is among the hotels and casinos that will futz and fiddle with their hours during the pandemic. They have sometimes operated on a shorter opening schedule if not had some closures on non-peak days (usually Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday).
Location of New York-New York Sportsbook
The New York-New York sportsbook can be found at 3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South. It is close to the southernmost part of The Strip, right around The MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay hotels.
While New York-New York's location can cause issues if you wish to walk the entire strip since you're so far down on one end, it is on the side that's more accessible from McCarran International Airport. Traveling in either direction will take roughly seven minutes when up against the typical amount of traffic.
Renting a car shouldn't be necessary unless you're going well off The Strip for excursions that don't include transportation. Taxis and rideshares will be cheap enough even if you want to go end-to-end on The Strip, such as from New York-New York to the Mirage hotel and casino.
In the event you do have an automobile, New York-New York is offering free self-park services to start 2021. It's basically a promotion all MGM-brand hotels are running to welcome back customers following closures due to the pandemic.
But be warned: This probably won't last. They will eventually go back to charging $15 per day to park in their garage.
Place Your Bets at New York-New York Sportsbook
Let's not beat around the bush: Nobody is going to New York-New York strictly for their sportsbook—not unless they're actively looking for complete and total quiet.
The New York-New York sportsbook has seating for only 40 people, with no VIP section or group seating. They do have 28 large TVs, so there will be plenty of games, matches, and events running at all times. However, you won't have access to an individual screen at your seat like you will elsewhere. This can be a deal-breaker for those who are looking to bet on non-major events, such as lower-level horse races, and golf tournaments.
If you want to kick back with a cocktail or snack, you'll need to visit another part of the casino. The New York-New York sportsbook does not have a bar or grill within it.
On the bright side, the facilities are relatively modern. The chairs are made out of super comfortable leather, and the TVs are new. New York-New York also opens its sportsbooks doors earlier on the weekends, which is great news for those who want to capitalize on initial lines during college football Saturdays and NFL Sundays.
Another side benefit of this intimate setting: a more customizable experience. New York-New York runs more promos for their customers, and they have been known to reserve the space for private events. The limited seating can be a problem for bigger games, but at the same time, this isn't the sportsbook that will draw in huge crowds for the Super Bowl or Game 7 of the NBA Finals. It is more a commuter sportsbook: people come in to place their bets or quickly check the score and then leave. That allows those who wish to hand around some semblance of comfort and access they won't have anywhere else.
Plus, just because this isn't a massive sportsbook doesn't mean it cannot offer the same type of service. The New York-New York sportsbook odds are posted right around the time when they open their doors, and they can accommodate future wagers with their pay-by-mail service.
Also, because the Mirage is a part of the MGM brand, you can sign up for an account on the BetMGM sportsbook app. This will let you place bets without being in the building—or even necessarily on The Strip. You can choose to have funds deposited into your account or go pick up potential winnings in person.
Granted, the app only works if you're in Nevada and other states where there is an MGM-brand casino. If you live somewhere else, we strongly suggest checking out our ranking of the best online sportsbooks below and joining in on the action that way:
Many of these sportsbooks also offer an online casino. Yes, your favorite games are available: slots, roulette, poker, blackjack, bingo, keno, craps, baccarat, .... these sportsbooks also have a different section for horse lovers. You can bet and feel all the action from horses all around the world enjoying daily rebates and exclusive promotions.
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New York-New York Casino
The New York-New York casino floor is deceptively big. This is to say, it feels homier, but its overall size is closer to average. You have access to 84,000 square feet of table games like blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, and more, in addition to a bunch of slot-machine options.
This isn't a place made for super high-rollers. New York-New York does have special slots and tables for people who wish to up their ante, but they are mostly pandering to a customer base that's looking to wager $100 or less per wager. That said, any high roller that does come in is subject to special comps and treatment.
Anyone who is looking to get their feet wet in a poker tournament should consider visiting, if not staying at, the New York-New York casino. They run daily tournaments and expand their schedule considerably on the weekends. The buy-ins for these games are usually super affordable, checking in at well under $100.
Everyone will have the option of signing up for an M Life rewards card. There are different tiers to the program based on how much you plan to bet, but every membership gets you points at the slots and tables—though, not the sportsbook. Whenever you amass enough points, they can be redeemed for event tickets, special meal discounts, free bets, and even room comps.
In case you're wondering, and we know you are, New York-New York does have complimentary cocktails on the casino floor. Relative to other places, though, the number of servers they have working in the room is sparse. It's imperative, then, that you tip those who bring you your beverages. It ensures they'll come back with more orders in a timely fashion.
Staying at New York-New York
This is why people come to New York-New York: The actual hotel experience.
Room decor is contemporary, and the entire building is modeled to give a more spacious Big Apple feel. The artwork is over the top—in a good, cartoonish way. You feel like you're at a theme park.
Speaking of theme parks, New York-New York boasts their own world-famous roller coaster. It takes you around the perimeter of the hotel, going both inside and outside the casino. It is a must-do experience if you're heading to Vegas.
New York-New York's entertainment doesn't stop there. They have a Cirque du Soleil show and have a couple of bars that host live events and ensure you can get a club-like nightlife experience.
The shopping options are on the lighter side; they have but a few novelty places that sell the basics. Their eatery options are about average. They have a couple of upscale restaurants, including a steakhouse, and the rest are all mid-end sit-down places or grab-and-go joints.
As you can probably tell, New York-New York is not the Cosmopolitan. It isn't meant to be ritzy. And that's okay! It's not priced that way. Room rates can start around $60 depending on the time of the year, though they quickly rise slightly above $100 with a $41.95 daily resort fee. This is mostly okay, too. It's still cheaper than most other hotels, even with the higher-than-usual resort fee. All the usual Vegas hotel amenities are included.
If you're looking for a casual bettor-friendly casino, rock-solid room accommodations and a place where you can while away your nights without going full "Let's hit the club," then New York-New York is most definitely a place you'll enjoy. And even if you don't choose to stay here, stopping by for the poker tournaments and the roller coaster is worth the rideshare fare alone.