New Sunset Station sportsbook has ‘something for everyone,’ exec says

Former NFL running back Napoleon McCallum was all smiles this morning as he placed his inaugural bet at Sunset Station’s newly renovated STN Sportsbook.

His first bet?

“My first bet was for the Raiders to win the Super Bowl,” said McCallum, an alumnus of the team. “And the second bet was for the Raiders to beat the San Diego Chargers  — first game of the season.”

A slew of other bettors followed McCallum, placing wagers at the 12,000-square-foot sportsbook, which celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Those in attendance included employees of the Henderson casino and hotel, guests sipping their morning coffee and city leaders.

The renovation took about nine months, said Jordan Seager, vice president and general manager of Sunset Station.

It’s the first true renovation of the nearly 27-year-old property’s sportsbook, Seager said. It makes the space more visible and accessible, he said.

“It really gives a new feeling to this space, and the rest of the property is going to catch up,” Seager said. “We're going to continue to do that casino renovation throughout the whole property.”

Parent company Station Casinos has heard a lot of good feedback about the opening of its latest luxury property, Durango Resort, in the southwest valley, including how much the guests value the brightness and light that comes into the property, Seager said. Sunset is trying to mirror that feeling, he said.

Seager said the company is making a “large investment” to make Sunset a place where “locals want to come visit.” He could not provide an exact cost.

The sportsbook features 200 lounge seats, a panoramic, 152-foot LED screen wall and more than 40 other LED TVs. It is anchored by an almost oval-shaped bar with luxurious seating and bar-top video games.

Seager likened the sportsbook and bar to “the heart and the brain” of the property. It’s a place people can have a drink with friend, put in a bet or just watch a game, he said.

“We're going to have something for everyone,” Seager said.

Jason McCormack, vice president of racing and sports for Station Casinos, said the sportsbook was a good place to start renovations because of its energy and atmosphere.

Sunset now has more video walls than other Station properties like Green Valley Ranch Resort or Red Rock Resort, and guests who attended a VIP opening Wednesday were “through the roof” with excitement, McCormack said.

“No doubt, this … is a luxury sportsbook now,” he said. “With all due respect to our other properties and all the books that are in Vegas, this is the best book in the state. This is unbelievable — from a race and sports standpoint — what our guests are going to have.”

The sportsbook is decorated in shades of tan, light brown, red and gold, with plush couches and leather chairs. It has multiple VIP sections.

“It kind of opens everything up,” McCormack said of the decor. “It just feels so inviting.”

McCallum summed up the new sportsbook in a few words. “It’s pretty awesome,” he said.