Nothing is quite as entertaining as the glitz and glamour of a Las Vegas show
There are many exciting aspects of land-based casinos. You can enjoy live entertainment, live dealers, and even in-house restaurants and shows. Nothing is quite as entertaining as the glitz and glamour of a Las Vegas show.
However, not every land-based casino has the glamour of the Vegas strip. Gamblers are more eager to play online than visit a land-based casino. So how will they win back the crowds of yore?
For many land-based casinos, the answer is fight nights. While we can't talk about fight clubs, we can discuss the pros and cons of fight night returning to live casino venues.
A Brief History
Though classic fist fighting has been around since the beginning of time, ancient Sumerian carvings suggest the first official bout of boxing took place in the third millennium BCE. Since its Sumerian debut, the sport has changed a lot, with modern matches based on the mid-19th-century peak in popularity.
The sport was known worldwide thanks to its popularity in Great Britain between the 16th and 19th centuries. It was no longer just a fistfight but a serious match with points, rounds, and prizes to be won at the end of the night.
Sadly, the brute force sport ran into some questionable legalities worldwide, making it hard to find venues for a match. Though now anyone can access casinos without a gaming account, entrance into original boxing venues and casinos was hard to come by and very shady.
The jump from illegal barge boxing to sponsored Las Vegas bouts occurred thanks to the 1900s "Friday Night Fights" TV broadcast. Though the show was popular, the brutal nature of the sport made some uncomfortable, leading to the show's cancellation in 1960. After the cancellation, boxing officially moved to the Las Vegas Strip.
Las Vegas casino boxing became as popular as it was profitable. Historic fights like Mayweather vs McGregor brought a nearly 15% revenue increase in a single night. Even the boxers would get in on the casino action, with popular figures like Mike Tyson being major slot spinners.
Though the once strong relationship between boxers and casinos has weakened, there is still a high demand for the sport. With many online sportsbooks still cashing bets on boxing matches, perhaps it's time land-based casinos do the same.
The Pros
Potential casino revenue increase
The influx of in-person casino guests
Potential popularity boosts thanks to live-streamed live events
Perfect venue potential for rookie league fighters
History has shown firsthand the many pros of live casino fight nights. For every ticket sold to the fight, the casino not only gets a fighting profit but another customer for the rest of their amenities. Famous boxers love to spin a few slots after a match, so surely patrons will too.
It can also increase popularity through word of mouth and online buzz. If the casino has an online counterpart, live streaming the event, and opening online bets will attract worldwide players to the match. Some may even invest in making the long trip over to see the fight in person.
Finally, a rebirth of fight nights creates opportunities for new boxers to make a debut. As an opening match to warm up the crowd, they can get to know new names in the sport and invest in their road to fame. Any casino that becomes a new hero's birthplace will also receive extra fame.
Popularity, income boosts, and business expansion both online and offline are some of the many reasons a casino can benefit from a fight night.
The Cons
Limited seating vs online live streams
Promotional competition from online sportsbooks
Potentially limited draw on unpopular name fighting
Though the original broadcast TV show 'Friday Night Fights' was popular, it met a bitter end due to public complaints and liability issues. These cons don't disappear even with a rebirth of casino fight nights.
If the casino has no live streaming capability or linked sportsbook, it will suffer limited capacity issues. Unless a big name comes to visit, players may skip lines and ticket prices for shows they stream online from home.
Not only can players stream from home, but they can bet from there too. Utilising a competitor's online sportsbooks lets players skip entrance tickets and bet on a myriad of fights all at once. The thrill of a live fight can be replaced by the ease of access and variety of online sportsbooks.
Finally, not many are invested in matches lacking big names. Unless there is clout to back it up, casinos may not receive any attention for rookie circuit games. Drawing a crowd to enjoy in-house amenities only works if you can get the crowd.
Die-hard fans may love a return of in-person matches, but customers who got comfy online may be unwilling to transition.
The Winner Is…?
Boxing has long garnered mixed reviews from its fanbase. There are arguments over preferred style, localization, and what venues are best to house the event.
Some fans will say the move to online boxing betting and live streams was perfect for the sport's growth. Others will argue that dedicated boxing casinos keep the sport alive in its most primal form.
It's hard to say who is right in this debate. However, a dedicated audience is waiting for fight night to make its return. Where there is a crowd, there is a match to be held.
Whether crowds will maintain their size and whether matches will continue to draw crowds is anyone's guess. Yet a hungry audience is willing to make a long-distance trip to taste live-venue fighting.