Caesars Sportsbook Debuts Colossal Ad Campaign, William Hill Phased Out

The Caesars Sportsbook has officially debuted in the United States, as Caesars Entertainment does away with the William Hill brand in favor of incorporating its own name into the online gaming space. 

Caesars Sportsbook William Hill sports betting
Caesars Entertainment is dropping William Hill in the US, and instead launching a new trademark called Caesars Sportsbook. The online identity is up and running in several states that allow online sports betting, and the platform is using actor JB Smoove (pictured) to promote the sportsbook. (Image: Caesars Entertainment)

Caesars Entertainment closed on its acquisition of William Hill in April. The roughly $4 billion purchase gave Caesars one of the globe’s most trusted and experienced bookmakers. 

The deal provides the newly formed Caesars Entertainment market access to 18 legal sports betting markets, including 11 mobile jurisdictions, in the US. It is the culmination of Eldorado Resorts’ $17.3 billion reverse takeover of the larger casino firm last year.

Caesars is dropping the William Hill identity stateside and rolling with its own iconic casino identity. The Caesars Sportsbook app is already live in eight states — Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. It’s expected to soon come online, pending regulatory approvals, in Arizona, Maryland, and Louisiana. 

William Hill Exit

“Caesar” conjures up various meanings, from the Roman Empire dictator to casinos. 

In the US, Caesars, as it relates to gambling is substantially more known than William Hill. And that’s why the casino company is phasing out the William Hill sportsbook brand domestically. In the Caesars Sportsbook release, Caesars explains that William Hill sportsbooks have — or will be — rebranded to the company’s new sports betting arm. 

Mitchell Marier, a spokesperson for Caesars, told Casino.org that the William Hill brand will remain visible in Nevada at retail sports betting locations not owned by Caesars Entertainment. But every Caesars-operated property on the Las Vegas Strip will incorporate the Caesars Sportsbook, including Caesars Palace, Harrah’s, LINQ, Paris, and Planet Hollywood. 

Outside the US, William Hill is a staple of high streets throughout towns and cities in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1934 by businessman William Hill, the bookmaker counted more than 1,400 betting shops in the UK as of last fall. However, Caesars Entertainment plans to sell many of the retail betting locations in the coming months. 

Various Promos

To lure sports bettors online in the states it operates, Caesars is offering a myriad of promos.

Every bet wagered through the Caesars Sportsbook app — win or lose — collects Caesars Rewards credits that can be used at one of the casino’s more than 50 properties across 16 states. Caesars says its new app also offers extensive odds and flexible wagering limits, and comes with numerous payment options. 

People in states where the Caesars Sportsbook operates should expect to be inundated with television, radio, and social media marketing sports in the immediate future. 

Caesars has brought in comedic actors JB Smoove and Patton Oswalt. In the commercials, Smoove embodies the persona of Augustus Caesar, but an interpretation of the Roman statesman who fancies a sports bet. Patton plays Caesars’ close confidant who introduces him to the Caesars Sportsbook. 

Football fans will also see the Caesars Entertainment brand in the coming months. Caesars Entertainment is the official casino sponsor of the NFL, and recently secured the naming rights to the Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints. 

Devin O'Connor
Devin O'Connor Senior Reporter

Devin O'Connor is a senior reporter for Casino.org, covering politics, casino business, and gaming news.

Devin came on board with Casino.org in 2014. He lives in Arlington, Va.

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  • M
    Marlene September 2, 2021
    I love the commercials. They are funny and made me want to look up the Caesars app and the principal actors. People dancing and having… I love the commercials. They are funny and made me want to look up the Caesars app and the principal actors. People dancing and having a good time. Makes me want to check it out. Yes the commercials are on a lot during high viewing times, but I'd rather see that than political, credit card, or car commercials!
    Reply
  • TA
    The Retro Activator September 2, 2021
    The J.B. Smoove ads they're running on TV and YouTube are annoying enough, but I've got a little something stuck in my craw about one… The J.B. Smoove ads they're running on TV and YouTube are annoying enough, but I've got a little something stuck in my craw about one of the radio ads. The voice actor announces in his opening phrase that "the goblet has dropped." For God's sake, dear copywriter, if you are going to utilize a somewhat antiquated colloquialism, you can at least have someone proofread your work before sending it off. It's GAUNTLET, not goblet!
    Reply
  • SH
    S E Howard August 30, 2021
    I like the ads, especially the one between "Caesar" and "Carl". They're funny and enough so that I wanted to look up the identity of… I like the ads, especially the one between "Caesar" and "Carl". They're funny and enough so that I wanted to look up the identity of the actor who plays Caesar and came across this page. I'm surprised to see so many negative comments about the commercials. I do not view them as "bad" at all. There's far worse on TV to take that title.
    Reply
  • DC
    Domine Octavian Caesar August 29, 2021
    To all these naysayers, all I can say is: "Et tu, Brute?" These commercials are hilarious. -SPQR
    Reply
  • JC
    Jonathan C. August 25, 2021
    Who scripted this and pitched this story board?! This new campaign just continues to ruin the once strong Caesars brand. Such a… Who scripted this and pitched this story board?! This new campaign just continues to ruin the once strong Caesars brand. Such a shame... over the last 6 years this brand has continued to decrease in value with their horrible campaigns and this just solidified that they have lost their identity and brand value. Just as bad as the live like a Caesar campaign. Horrible.
    Reply
  • D
    Danger August 23, 2021
    I sh*t you not, these are THE most annoying and cringe-worthy commercials I've been assaulted with in recent memory. Especially the first one: "I AM! YOU ARE!… I sh*t you not, these are THE most annoying and cringe-worthy commercials I've been assaulted with in recent memory. Especially the first one: "I AM! YOU ARE! WE ARE!". What in the hell is that? Fire the advertising company then fire the mouth-breathers who accepted this cesspool of a campaign. Start over now and maybe viewers won't equate Caesars with with nausea-inducing ads.
    Reply
  • B
    Ben August 22, 2021
    Oh my Lord I hate this ad! I curse at my T. V all day whenever I see it. Who the hell is the advertising… Oh my Lord I hate this ad! I curse at my T. V all day whenever I see it. Who the hell is the advertising company who did this? I will bet ANY other sports booking site than this just because of this obnoxious ad.
    Reply
  • P
    Pat August 20, 2021
    This ad hits an all time low. It is loud and obnoxious and hardly gets across its connection to the product. I will… This ad hits an all time low. It is loud and obnoxious and hardly gets across its connection to the product. I will “bet” that even people who engage in betting will steer clear of this site just from the horrible memories left over from this stupid commercial.
    Reply
  • ES
    Ed Sholar August 19, 2021
    This is the worst commercial I have ever been forced to watch. I turn the volume down every time it airs. NO WAY I would… This is the worst commercial I have ever been forced to watch. I turn the volume down every time it airs. NO WAY I would ever do business with this company.
    Reply
  • L
    L..CJohnson August 17, 2021
    I have disliked this ad from the first time I sAw it. It is continually on all day and night on the channels I… I have disliked this ad from the first time I sAw it. It is continually on all day and night on the channels I watch. Is there a way to get it off of the air. It doesnt make sense and I do not appreciate learning that it promotes Gambling. Please cut the numbers of Ads that spoil my tv viewing. I turn it off immediately as it starts. thank you.
    Reply
  • O
    Onceler August 15, 2021
    Obnoxious, unbearable, apotheosis of the vulgarization and cheapening of sports through gambling.
    Reply
  • A
    Anonymous August 14, 2021
    I'm in advertising and this is a BAD commercial.
    Reply
  • CS
    Cindy Simons August 13, 2021
    I hate this screaming loud ad!
    Reply
  • JJ
    joe jones August 11, 2021
    The adds and promotion are horrible. I cant stand to watch it and turn it off immediately.....i dont need a caesars with wanna be… The adds and promotion are horrible. I cant stand to watch it and turn it off immediately.....i dont need a caesars with wanna be autocrats dying to be just that...who needs empire glory with all the wing nuts running around. Poor taste and poor marketing. chicken here too...can submit unless we agree to be your database???????????? Pathetic.
    Reply
  • KF
    Kevin Fitz August 2, 2021
    Caesar really bring 2 heavy hitters, 2 comedians on the D List, God I want to drop a Dime on every game now for sure.
    Reply
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