When you think of hotels, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not a sportsbook—but according to Dwayne MacEwen, principal and creative director, DMAC Architecture, these venues can make an ideal addition to a hotel property.
“With gaming and sports betting laws changing in certain states, more hotels and casinos are rethinking their gaming floors with the addition of the sportsbooks,” MacEwen said. “The gaming and hotel industries are shifting toward the changing preferences of their customers who are looking for engaging experiences. Patrons want to feel comfortable within a lounge setting while consuming content. The Sportsbook offers added value for the hotel industry to drive incremental revenue.”
Chicago-based DMAC Architecture has designed the Rivers Sportsbook at the Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady. Conceived as a luxury-styled sports lounge in a light-filled and wide-open space, the venue is situated adjacent to Van Slyck’s lounge and located directly off the casino’s main gaming floor.
“The Rivers Casino & Resort site in Schenectady, NY, inhabits what was an old railway station with Van Slyck’s restaurant and bar occupying the train manufacturing plant,” MacEwen explained. “It was previously a nightclub and rug shop. The new 1,800-sq.-ft. Sportsbook lounge sits within Van Slyck’s, adding another element of fun. The design was inspired by the building’s history and memory of past functions. It layers onto the old space and reinvents it. Exposed bow trusses similar to the nearby train trestle bridges and black chandeliers found at the site are featured in the space. Its full-width opening onto the gaming floor makes the 9-ft. by 50-ft. [LED video wall] intentionally visible, energizing the floor and drawing guests into the action.”
MacEwen described the ambiance of the space as “welcoming and relaxing,” intended to appeal to sport and gaming enthusiasts. “The sportsbook offers stadium lounge seating underneath a ceiling truss design, which recreates the look of the trestle bridges in Schenectady’s old railway yard,” he said. “Additionally, club chairs and table seating will accommodate approximately 80 guests and includes five private booths with TV monitors—each accommodating up to six people—18 individual VIP seats, and 32 tabletop seats.
“The design of the Sportsbook complements Van Slyck’s restaurant, which is located directly off the casino’s main gaming floor. This venue offers communal-like table arrangements combined with high-end furniture at the signature restaurant. This space mixes decorative lighting sources with natural light from skylights and windows to create a bright, airy vibe,” he added.
