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Super Bowl XLVI generates almost $94 million in betting handle
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Updated: Feb. 7, 2012 | 7:52 a.m.
A Super Bowl that ended in disappointment for Tom Brady and the favored New England Patriots did not result in an upset of Nevada's sports books, which continued to win.
The state's wagering handle of $93.9 million represented the second-largest total in history, and the 184 books held slightly more than $5 million for a win percentage of 5.4, according to figures released Monday by the Gaming Control Board.
The New York Giants' 21-17 victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday generated a handle that threatened the record of $94.5 million set in 2006.
"It was a nice way to end the season," MGM Resorts sports book director Jay Rood said. "Our handle was up 10 percent. There was room for more, but I'm not going to be greedy."
The state's books showed a win for the 16th time in 17 years. The only recent Super Bowl loss for Nevada was in 2008, when the Giants were double-digit underdogs in an upset of the Patriots.
The rematch figured to be popular with football bettors, but after Sunday's game, most sports book directors were forecasting the handle would fall short of $90 million.
"It's a surprisingly positive number considering the economy is still struggling," LVH sports book director Jay Kornegay said. "I guess that shows how strong the NFL is these days."
SEEING SURGE IN WAGERS
Cantor Gaming, MGM Resorts and the South Point were among the books reporting the strongest surges in handle over last year, when $87.5 million was bet on Green Bay's victory over Pittsburgh.
"We ended up being a small winner on the day. You can't complain," said Mike Colbert, the Cantor sports book director at M Resort.
Kornegay said the LVH took no six-figure wagers. By contrast, Colbert said Cantor Gaming accepted one $1 million wager and two for $500,000.
"In some ways, the game was a bookmaker's dream when you are getting balanced action, for the most part," Kornegay said. "The books who were going from 2½ to 3 (on the point spread) at times were getting some big pops."
South Point sports book director Bert Osborne repeatedly moved the line for two weeks, drawing action on the Patriots at minus-2½ and on the Giants at plus-3.
AVERTING 'DISASTER'
If the Patriots had won by 3 points, Kornegay said the result "could have been a disaster" for some books because of refunds and payouts on both sides. The Giants opened as 3½-point underdogs at most spots.
Brady led the Patriots to a 17-9 lead early in the third quarter. But, similar to the Super Bowl of four years ago, Eli Manning topped him again and guided the Giants to the winning score in the last minute.
Jimmy Vaccaro, director of operations for Lucky's sports books, was more impressed by the halftime show.
"The highlight of the game was Madonna," Vaccaro said. "I kind of liked it. It was a big-time production."
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.
SUPER BOWL BETTING HISTORY
A summary of performances by Nevada sports books for the past 10 Super Bowls:
| Year | Wagers | Win/(Loss) | Win Pct. | Score |
| 2012 | $93,899,840 | $5,064,470 | 5.4 | Giants 21, Patriots 17 |
| 2011 | $87,491,098 | $724,176 | 0.83 | Packers 31, Steelers 25 |
| 2010 | $82,726,367 | $6,857,101 | 8.3 | Saints 31, Colts 17 |
| 2009 | $81,514,748 | $6,678,044 | 8.2 | Steelers 27, Cardinals 23 |
| 2008 | $92,055,833 | ($2,573,103) | (2.8) | Giants 17, Patriots 14 |
| 2007 | $93,067,358 | $12,930,175 | 13.9 | Colts 29, Bears 17 |
| 2006 | $94,534,372 | $8,828,431 | 9.3 | Steelers 21, Seahawks 10 |
| 2005 | $90,759,236 | $15,430,138 | 17.0 | Patriots 24, Eagles 21 |
| 2004 | $81,242,191 | $12,440,698 | 15.3 | Patriots 32, Panthers 29 |
| 2003 | $71,693,032 | $5,264,963 | 7.3 | Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21 |
| SOURCE: Nevada Gaming Control Board | ||||
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gbigs... It is crazy that someone as stupid as you has the ability to type? The sports book took in around 5 million in profit. 93.9 million was bet in this state. I guess that was all from state residents right...LOL... The real winners are the cities, casinos workers and anyone else who had contact with the visitors money. People stayed in this state over the weekend because of the Super Bowl and spent cash on other things besides their SB bets.
Considering that sports books in general hold less then 2% over all for the year retaining 5% on one game is pretty good. More gaming taxes to the state to keep it running. Another great day!
After the $1 sale of the "What Happens here, stays here" copyright to R&R Partners on November 9, 2004, the LVCVA paid $321,000 in attorney's fees because of an investigation into the legality of the controversial sale.[3] The sale was later overturned by a federal judge who claimed that the sale was made without the knowledge of the board....
tha LVCVA is a corupt entity that funnels tax payer money to squader on projects to their friends... we need to stop them NOW !
why publish the big number, casinos lost the bet, they bet on new england, they only made $5m on the whole deal. what a laugh.
The money won will be treated as found money and quickly gambled away. Suckers.