WaterView Casino officially opened its sportsbook area Thursday with a ribbon cutting heralded by college fight songs and backed by lighted boards showing the betting lines for weekend games and a series wide projection screens covering a section of a wall and showing a variety of sports programs.

WaterView is the third Vicksburg casino to offer sports betting, along with Ameristar and Riverwalk.

“This is just another tool we can use to attract tourism and attract people to Vicksburg and be able to showcase Vicksburg,” Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said.

He said having sports betting at the casinos “is just one great reason to stay in Vicksburg to participate (in events) in Vicksburg and be part of this Mississippi River.”

WaterView general manager Penny Bankston said the casino had been preparing for sports betting for six months.

“A lot of moving parts, a lot of teamwork and a lot of long hours put into it,” she said. “We’re very excited to offer this new amenity to our players to come and bet on their favorite teams. The sports enthusiasts are really excited about this opportunity.”

Bankston said the casino’s sports book will be open seven days a week starting at 10 a.m., “And we’ll close whenever we need to; it will depend on how the bets are flying in. We’re happy to bring this to the city of Vicksburg, and hopefully we’ll have some additional revenue and help the city as well.”

After the ceremony, Bankston said she hopes the sportsbook will bring new customers to the casino, adding, “I think it will be a positive thing for all the casinos in Vicksburg.”

She said WaterView’s sportsbook will have ticket writers, who will answer questions from players about making bets and the different types of bets that can be made on an event.

“They’re here to educate them and make them feel comfortable about placing a bet with us.”

Waterview opened its sportsbook area Aug. 31, but delayed a grand opening ceremony until Thursday. Ameristar Casino also opened Aug. 31. Riverwalk was the first casino in the city to open a sportsbook area with a ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 23.