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Vegas sportsbooks ready for NFL season, taking COVID-19 precautions

Posted at 9:12 AM, Sep 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-12 12:12:56-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The NFL season is officially underway. And that means sportsbooks are going to be busy taking bets while dealing with COVID-19 precautions.

Sports betting is quickly becoming a booming business as more betting options become available for people who are getting into the betting concept.

"I'll tell you what's really taken off everywhere are people signing up for the mobile apps because now you don't have to be here and trust me there's going to be days when the Raiders are playing, and it's blocked from here to the stadium on I-15," said South Point bookmaker Jimmy Vaccaro.

Everything fans should expect when NFL season kicks off

He says the addition of six betting kiosks at the South Point Race and Sportsbook has cut down on the lines at the counter and those placing bets have to do so through plexiglass barriers.

Masks are required, and chairs are spaced out six feet or more with capacity cut to 50 percent or less with changes in place to accommodate COVID-19 precautions.

"We are doing the right thing for social distancing with the more space we use. So, we have taken our time, added 50 chairs in the racebook, added TVs, and kiosks," Vaccaro said.

In the racebook, sports fans can watch games as an overflow, and many gamblers told 13 Action News that the COVID-19 precautions in place hadn't taken away from their sports betting experience.

Vaccaro says not to be afraid to ask staff how to bet if you're new or don't know what to do - avoid the hectic times like during games or on Sunday.

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The legendary bookmaker also predicts this year could set records for football wagers.