Boomer’s Sportsbook is continuing its expansion in Nevada and the company’s CEO discussed the negative impact of prediction markets on the state’s sports betting industry.
The Nevada Gaming Commission is poised to approve two new Boomer’s later this month following a recommendation from the Gaming Control Board. The state’s only independent bookmaker, Boomer’s will open a race and sportsbook at The Pass Casino on Water Street in downtown Henderson on April 2. It was previously a Circa Sports sportsbook. The Board also recommended approval for Boomer’s to open a sportsbook at Sierra Sid’s in Sparks in northern Nevada on April 27 or 28.
The Henderson opening marks Boomer’s ninth sportsbook location in Nevada as the company continues its statewide expansion. Club Fortune in North Las Vegas has yet to reopen, while a sportsbook at Stockman’s Casino in Fallon opens May 1.
A grand-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony in Henderson is scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 24. It will be a staffed sportsbook that measures more than 600 square feet.
“Henderson has a fantastic sports culture ingrained in the local community,” said Joe Asher, president and CEO of Boomer’s Sportsbook. “We’re excited to partner with Joe DeSimone (the casino owner) and the team at The Pass to provide locals with a convenient place to bet and easily set up their mobile accounts. From there, they can check the price and place bets from anywhere in Nevada using the Boomer’s mobile app.”
Asher touted the company’s offerings to the Gaming Control Board, citing lower prices than the competition. The signup offer for new customers is matching deposits with up to $250 in bonus bets. A new promotion is centered around home runs and there are also specials on Golden Knight wagering.
Asher gave an update to the Board on how Boomer’s business is going after opening its first sportsbook in August. He said the goal is to have 18 sportsbooks open by the start of football season. Boomer’s signed deals with two other casinos last week and will be filing an application with regulators, bringing the total to 20.
“A lot of folks at the B2B level are happy to do business with us,” Asher said. “We got customers to bet with us and signed up with us. It’s a brick-by-brick process. And then we have to retain them as customers. Our team is doing a pretty good job with that.”
Board Chair Mike Dretzer asked Asher how prediction markets such as Kalshi have impacted Boomer’s business.
Asher said that though there’s no way to measure what business is flowing to those operators in Nevada, “the broader answer is it has to be. There’s no data to say we would have had this amount of business otherwise, but of course it’s taking some people who would otherwise go into the licensed and legal sportsbooks rather than what I view is the unregulated and illegal market.”
Sierra Sid’s opened in 1971 and is just off I-80, accessible for locals and those passing through. It was previously operated by William Hill. The sportsbook will be staffed with two kiosks and will mark the 12th Boomer’s approved by regulators.
Asher noted other regions of the state where Boomer’s isn’t operating; some of those sportsbooks are pending with the Board. He said he would like to be in Laughlin and Ely, but that they’re making progress overall.
“We have a map and put a flag in the name of a city every time we open in a new location, and we’re starting to get more and more flags on the map,” Asher said.
Sierra Sid’s owner Marcy Barba said they’re excited about moving forward with Boomer’s, saying their current sportsbook isn’t filling their needs. The plans call for remodeling the sportsbook, as well as doing other renovations.
