By The Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas was one of the classic hotspots on The Strip. It opened in 1989 and was revered for its Polynesian theme, replete with highly touted restaurants and buffets, until it closed permanently in 2024 for a full renovation and rebranding into the Hard Rock Las Vegas.
You’ll find all you need to know about the now-defunct Mirage Casino below. Where was the Mirage located? What were the hours of operation for the sportsbook? What did you need to know about the Mirage betting lines? How big was their casino? What was the overall on-site experience like? It’s all here!
The Mirage Sportsbook Experience
Though Vegas offered a bunch of sportsbook options, many of which fell under the MGM corporation's control like the Mirage, they all put their own unique spins on the playing and staying experiences. This situation was no different. It was one hotel and casino in a sea of many, but it also did a fantastic job standing out for all the right reasons.
Pros of the Mirage Hotel & Casino
- Affordable room rates
- High-rollers lounge in the casino
- Sportsbook offered many different ways to enjoy watching games
Cons of the Mirage Hotel & Casino
- No special events or contests in the sportsbook
- The sportsbook had only a handful of large TVs
- Daily resort fee of nearly $40
Mirage Sportsbook Hours of Operation (pre-closure)
- Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Friday-Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Location of Mirage Sportsbook
The Mirage sportsbook was located closer to the northernmost end of The Strip, in the opposite part of the street that featured the Mandalay Bay and New York-New York hotels and casinos, at 3400 South Las Vegas Boulevard. This could make it a little more difficult to walk end-to-end, since The Strip spanned about four miles, but it was still close enough to McCarran International Airport (now the Harry Reid international). Traveling in either direction typically took around 12 minutes during normal traffic hours.
Some people chose to rent a car in order to more quickly journey up and down The Strip when they stayed toward one of the ends. It wasn’t generally recommended, at least not in the case of the Mirage. Though the MGM Mirage sportsbook was at one point offering free parking as a way of welcoming guests back amid the pandemic, they eventually returned to their daily $15 fee model—which applied to both hotel guests and those coming in from the outside.
It was a different story entirely for those hoping to go on excursions fairly far away from The Strip. For the most part, visitors were just fine using shuttles, rideshares, or taxis. Going that route saved most people a ton of money.
Placing Bets at Mirage Sportsbook
At some hotels and casinos, the sportsbook is an ancillary feature. It exists out of convenience because every place has a sportsbook. Think along the lines of the ultra-tiny operation at Planet Hollywood.
This wasn’t the case at the Mirage sportsbook. They had seating for 269 people, plus private luxury boxes that could be reserved for blocks of time. Guests typically had to promise a betting minimum to use them, but they were great for groups that wanted to exit and re-enter the sportsbook without worrying about losing their seats.
Although the Mirage's sportsbook only boasted 10 larger TV screens, they weren’t short-changing patrons. For one, those screens were massive—up to 85 inches wide. Beyond that, the room also included 150 individual screens that could be tuned to different events based on customer preferences. This was particularly useful for those who wished to bet on horse races, since those weren’t usually on one of the main screens unless it was the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, or another major event.
Some gamblers lamented the static hours of operation seven days per week. They could be a tad limiting on Saturdays and Sundays during the college football and NFL seasons. Many sportsbooks opened their doors around 7 a.m. to accommodate those who wished to pounce on early-bird lines.
This wasn’t worth harping on. Opening at 8 a.m. was early enough, and the Mirage sportsbook odds were always posted by 9 a.m. On top of that, they also stayed open later on an average night than most other sportsbooks. Guests didn’t have access to place bets until 1 a.m. on the weekends, but they didn’t have to worry about being pushed out the door by 9 or 10 p.m. during the weekdays.
There was no need to be concerned about the large capacity of the Mirage sportsbook, either. Mirroring a home-watching experience was a breeze. Not only were they teeming with individual screens, but they also had a bar inside the sportsbook where guests could order drinks and food and even sit.
And because the Mirage was part of the MGM brand, guests could sign up for an account on the BetMGM sportsbook app. This allowed them to place bets without being on-site. They could choose to have funds deposited into their accounts or pick up potential winnings in person.
Of note: The app only works if you're in Nevada and other states where there is an MGM-brand casino. If you live somewhere else, we strongly suggest checking out our ranking of the best online sportsbooks below and joining in on the action that way:
Almost all of these high-level sportsbooks also offer a racebook for horse lovers and online casinos for you to feel that you are in Vegas in the comfort of your home. Roulette, poker, blackjack, keno, bingo, slots and all the traditional games are available online. Check them out!
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Mirage Casino
There was something for everyone inside the Mirage's casino. They spread out their slot machines and a large assortment of table games—blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, etc.—over more than 100,000 square feet. Operating with that type of space allowed them to cram in a bunch of gaming options while effectively accommodating foot traffic so guests didn’t feel like they were on top of other gamblers.
High rollers were given their own section in which they could play various slots and table games. Everyone, meanwhile, had the option of signing up for the M Life rewards program.
This promotional membership did not earn points at the sportsbook, but every bet placed at slot machines and tables counted towards a player’s total. Guests could then redeem those points for a number of perks like show tickets, dining experiences, and even betting credits. During certain times of the year, players could even get free money to use at the casino just for signing up.
As was the case at many casinos in Vegas, the drinks served on the floor were complementary. However, guests had to actively be placing bets at a slot machine or table. Some MGM-brand hotels even used a voucher system that gave one free drink only after $20 in wagers had been placed.
One Vegas hack that could prove life-changing: standing out from other customers by handsomely tipping those who brought cocktails. Guests were already saving a ton of money on the drinks, so they could spare it. And by giving a little extra, they guaranteed faster service and sometimes even opened the door to being served top-shelf liquor at no extra charge.
This went without saying, but the Mirage casino, like every other betting establishment, was for those over the age of 21. They did not aggressively ID people upon entry, but they had hi-tech security tracking that used facial features to spot potentially underage patrons. Security was then tasked with getting identification from anyone who appeared younger than 21.
Long story short: trying to fool the security technology in Vegas was never going to work.
Staying at the Mirage
Almost anyone could afford to stay at the Mirage.
The cheapest of their 3,000-plus rooms started at just $85 per night, though guests were subject to a $39 daily resort fee. That extra cost was no doubt a bummer, but nearly every Vegas hotel charged them, even if some were cheaper than others. This resort fee helped ensure access to amenities like wi-fi, a business center, a gym, a pool, and a spa.
Standard rooms at the Mirage also featured more than the normal amount of amenities within them. Each had at least one 42-inch LCD TV, an iHome dock, Posturepedic pillows, and cordless phones. Guests could also order room service at any time, day or night.
The Mirage offered plenty of entertainment options, as well. Terry Fator was for a long time their most consistent headliner, but the venue also brought in a wide variety of comedy acts throughout the year.
Shopping and nightlife were admittedly a little limited. The Mirage was not stocked with trademark clubs, and it had only a handful of shops, most of which were novelty stores like the Sugar Factory. Visitors were often better off heading to the Miracle Mile Shops near Planet Hollywood for a full-on mall experience, while the rest of The Strip was filled with major clubs.
Finding a place to eat was much easier. The property had more than 15 restaurants (both upscale and mid-range), along with cafes, delis, and grab-and-go establishments. The Mirage's buffet—aptly called Cravings—was also rated among the best all-you-can-eat options on the Strip.
Overall, unless guests were looking strictly for a party scene, the Mirage provided everything needed to maximize a Vegas trip—and more. However, after nearly 35 years of operation, the Mirage permanently closed in July 2024 to undergo a full renovation and rebranding into the Hard Rock Las Vegas, marking the end of an era on the Strip.
