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Using laptops / phones in sportsbooks

Discussion in 'The Sports Book' started by mowareking, Nov 1, 2018.

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  1. mowareking

    mowareking Tourist

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    Hi all,

    Going to Vegas in a few weeks time for the first time!! I love betting sports and was wondering if i would be allowed to use my laptop and phone in the actual sportsbook area as I tend to use them for my analysis of the games. If not, is that a rule with all sportsbooks or just some specific ones?

    Thanks in advance for any help.
     
  2. h0und10

    h0und10 VIP Whale

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    Phones will be completely fine. I cannot speak of laptops but I am sure that would be fine as well
     
  3. mowareking

    mowareking Tourist

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    Thanks h0und10... Appreciate the help.

    Does anyone know about using laptops in sportsbook area?
     
  4. billduhcat

    billduhcat Low-Roller

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    I've used my ipad many times in the seating area of Aria's sportsbook, but not when in line or at the counter.
     
  5. Emerson

    Emerson High-Roller

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    Silverton definitely DOES NOT allow it. They have signs on the Sports Betting Video Terminals. You will get trespassed for it.
     
  6. Mudhen

    Mudhen Always in Dutch

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    Seems like most, or perhaps all, of the books I have been in have a sign saying cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed. However, they have clearly lost the battle with cell phones, and generally speaking, I suspect you will be fine using one as long as you are not standing in line or at the window. They may be more strict about laptops, but that probably varies from shop to shop, too. Best thing to do, is to simply call the sports book in advance, and ask about their policy.
     
  7. FullPay

    FullPay When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro

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    During the Oughts (Y2k’s?) the cellphone in the sports book was the most popular enforcement rule in the casino. I can’t tell you the number of times I was called out at various bars because the book was in some way visible from my seat. As a previous post said the fight against cellphones has nearly been conceded. A laptop indicates a prolonged stay with a heavy workload, I would not be surprised if you were warned or booted.
     
  8. h0und10

    h0und10 VIP Whale

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    Seems a little behind the times that places would not allow laptops.
    So it is perfectly fine to be up in your room grinding out notes and then walk down to the book to place bets but not to look up information while in the sports book..
     
  9. mowareking

    mowareking Tourist

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    Thanks to everyone for your help. Yeah I guess I'll have to do the analysis beforehand
     
  10. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    I can't imagine why they would allow a laptop... I'm not exactly an expert in sports betting, but I do know enough to know that aside from legal concerns about communicating the wagering information out of state, the sportsbooks are also concerned about arbitrage bettors who want to see what odds one book has on a given game, versus the odds at another. Having a laptop computer in front of you with a full-size keyboard makes it easy to enter the odds into an online spreadsheet in just minutes, thus making exploiting the odds differences way more viable.
     
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  11. WichitaMuskie

    WichitaMuskie VIP Whale

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    If you have a phone or tablet, you can do the same. It's a lost battle.
     
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  12. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    You can't type things in as rapidly with a phone or tablet though.
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
  13. rooster42000

    rooster42000 Goat of all Goats , My Hero

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    I am pretty sure you cannot bring a laptop, my pal @UKFanatic who is an expert with rules can correct me if I am wrong,
     
  14. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I have followed along, but refrained form jumping in because I was not sure. I think the info above is pretty accurate. You definitely don't want to have any device out while in line or at the window. I use my phone all the time while sitting in the book. I have also used my tablet while sitting in the book. But I do not know if the rules permit it, because I have never used for more than five or ten minutes at a time. Not sure if that info helps
     
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  15. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Some years ago they were very strict about it. I was confronted while walking into the old LV Hilton via the rear entrance while talking on the phone. I was again confronted while waiting on line at the buffet. The security guy says you were not to use a cell phone in sight of the big board of the sports book. I know they have rescinded that particular regulation.
     
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  16. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

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    That's not true any longer. About 8-10 years ago the Nevada Gaming & Control Board allowed books to allow patrons to use their phones in the books as long as they weren't actively transmitting betting information across state lines. All books prohibit use of the devices while standing in line. I seriously doubt there will be a sports book in town today that will balk if you use your phone while sitting in the book.

    Have you ever tried calling a sport book? IIRC almost all of them do not have external lines for customers to call.


    **********

    @mowareking - once you are in Vegas you can set up an online account to bet using your phone. This means you can do your analysis with your laptop and make your wagers with your phone while in your room! Heck, you can even do it while sitting on the can.
     
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  17. Horseplayer1

    Horseplayer1 High-Roller

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    I never had a problem using my cell phone in the Sports books in Ballys, Paris or Caesars a few weeks ago. Phone in plain sight, I even took pictures of the book, the boards, made some bets on XpressBet, and charged my phone while on the desk. Never a problem, nor did I see any sign forbidding it. I did see a couple of guys with their Ipads. The tellers could have cared less.
     
  18. Wedgefromhere

    Wedgefromhere Low-Roller

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    I'm pretty sure you can use your phone in any sports book in NV, but not at the window. The Westgate Super Book advertises free wifi and charging stations for your phone.
     
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