Circa owner Derek Stevens (second from left) and Silverton President Rob Kunkle (center) celebrate a new sports betting partnership that shows how online sportsbooks and land-based casinos are working together. (Image: Dan Michalski / akfxoqsd.shop)

It’s been probably 8 or 10 years since I last visited the Silverton, a mostly locals hotel and casino just south of the Las Vegas resort corridor. 

The first change I notice upon entering the parking garage last week is that it’s being patrolled by a robot security guard that I will later learn is named R.O.B.

Making my way to the casino elevator with R.O.B. eyeing me (suspiciously), I cross paths with Kara, a stylish young woman in business attire carrying a comically large pair of scissors. “Ahh, you’re probably who I’m looking for,” I say, giving a nod to the two-feet-long metal shears she’s holding. 

“I was a little worried the robot might try to stop me,” she says. “Are you here for the ribbon cutting?” 

I am. It’s the grand opening of the newest Circa Sports sportsbook, a satellite retail location inside the Silverton Casino Lodge. Circa is the downtown Las Vegas property that opened in 2020 and is home to the world’s largest land-based casino sportsbook. Since then they’ve taken their book online and mobile, with Silverton now being the seventh retail location where players can register and fund their online accounts.

A new robotic security guard named R.O.B. patrols the Silverton parking lot and decides to let our author pass. (Image: Dan Michalski / akfxoqsd.shop)

It’s about 8:45 am – “Mic check, 1-2-3” – with the PR team and local TV news just about ready. 

“This book is absolutely gorgeous,” Circa owner Derek Stevens tells a crowd of 16 or so suit-wearing casino management types, and about seven or eight curious onlookers wandering through the casino on a Monday morning. “We look forward to being great partners with Silverton. I think this is going to be a very very successful venture.” 

Stevens speaks for a few minutes, thanking colleagues and coworkers, and telling the story of how the partnership came together (just in time for March Madness!). He then hands the mic to Silverton President Rob Kunkle, who offers similar thanks and enthusiasm. 

Soon they’re joined at the ribbon-cutting spread by Circa’s VP of Operations Mike Palm and Director of Operations for Circa Sports Jeff Benson. With all in position and lights adjusted, Kara delivers the giant scissors to Stevens. He holds them with Kunkle, and – [SNIP!] – the blue fabric falls, officially kicking off a new partnership. The crowd claps. 

New Look for the Silverton

The new Circa outpost isn’t huge – only 1,600-square-foot, including back of house – but it’s been technologically modernized, amd has the necessary big screens, high quality LED displays (from a company called Daktronics), three betting windows, three self-serve kiosks, a dozen lounge chairs, six tables, four booths and a bar with video poker machines. 

Gone are the “old school sports carrels,” Kunkle tells me, explaining changes to this space that previously served as a William Hill outpost. “We felt, and Circa agreed, that we should go for a more comfortable, loungey feel.” 

The sportsbook is the latest in a series of improvements at the Silverton. In addition to the R.O.B.-strengthened security, the property just finished $40 million in upgrades to their 300 guest rooms, and have spent another $10 million to redo the pool – transforming it into “The Swimmin’ Hole,” opening soon, in spring 2024. 

Strategic Expansion Plans

With the addition of Silverton, Circa now has seven locations in Nevada – including sportsbooks at the Tuscany (just off the Strip), The Pass (in Henderson), the three downtown properties that Stevens owns (Circa, the D and Golden Gate), and one at the Legends Bay Casino in Sparks (just outside of Reno). 

Stevens insists, however, that he won’t be expanding too rapidly. 

“We’re not looking to have 50 locations or anything like that,” he tells me. “We’re just looking to have the right location with the right partners. And the Silverton just came together where it all matched up nicely.”

He notes that “90% of all wagering with Circa takes place on the app,” so he’s not trying to get into as many locations as possible. “Things are different than they were 10 years ago. Really what we’re trying to do is get some geographically strategic locations.," Stevens says. 

Similarly, location factored into Kunkle’s interest in partnering with Circa, as Silverton is facing stiff sports betting competition from nearby off-Strip properties.

“In this southwest sector of the city, we have South Point across the street, the new Durango up the street, and of course you’ve got [M Resort] and Green Valley Ranch, too,” Kunkle tells me. “Circa brings a marketing element to the property that can make us very competitive in this sports betting space.”

Circa’s PR company initially intended to keep these scissors for next time, but decided they could just get new ones after Stevens signed them for the Silverton. (Image: Dan Michalski / akfxoqsd.shop)

Ready to Bet

With speeches delivered and ribbons cut (and questions from yours truly answered), at 9 o’clock in the morning the book is ready to take its first bet. Inaugural honors go to David McCovy, a high-rolling Circa Sports regular who happens to live in the neighborhood. 

The announcer hands over a mic. McCovy says he bet the moneyline on #1 Oklahoma to beat #4 Iowa State in the NCAA women’s basketball Big 12 tournament semifinals, wagering $15,500 to win $10,000.

Tip-off is in a couple hours. And even though Stevens and the Circa execs don't yet know that the Cyclones will end up upsetting the Sooners, 85-68, it's a good start for the house.