Las Vegas Sportsbooks Set Records on Super Bowl 50

Posted on: February 8, 2016, 12:47h. 

Last updated on: February 8, 2016, 12:57h.

Casino.org Staff Writer Read More

Expertise: Commercial Gaming.

Las Vegas sportsbooks just had their best Super Bowl Sunday in the history of football’s biggest game. The matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos attracted an estimated $120 million to $130 million in legal wagers, a number that if confirmed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board would mark the most money bet on a Super Bowl since the state began recording revenues in 1991.

“We had a really good Super Bowl, Westgate oddsmaker Ed Salmon told ESPN. “The handle was the most we’ve ever had, and the win was really good.”

Led by the theatrical Cam Newton at quarterback, the Panthers were five-point favorites to win Super Bowl 50 over Peyton Manning’s Broncos. Bettors in Nevada, the only state where sports betting is legal, initially heavily chose Carolina and gave Denver the five points, but the tide slowly turned and the majority of late action took Manning.

In the end, 51 percent of bets favored Carolina to Denver’s 49. The Bronco’s 24-10 upset obviously covered the spread, but the two teams fell short of the 43.5 over/under.

Super Bowl 50 will likely be the final act in Manning’s Hall of Fame career. His numbers weren’t impressive on Sunday (13-23, 0 TD, 1 INT), but grabbing his second NFL championship ring is all that matters for his expected curtain call.

Prop Bet Results

Aside from the more traditional wagers on Super Bowl 50, countless bookies around the world offered twists on a host of seemingly random parts of the game. Here’s a recap of some of the more popular prop wagering opportunities.

Length of National Anthem: Lady Gaga’s rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” caused the most controversy in the betting world as the line for the over/under on length was two minutes and 22 seconds. According to sportsbooks, Gaga finished the song at two minutes and nine seconds, though some argued it was longer since she repeated the word “brave” at the end.

Coin Toss: The straight up bet landed on tails. A $105 wager won bettors $100.

Gatorade Shower Color: Perhaps unsurprisingly, Broncos coach Gary Kubiak was drenched in orange liquid during the final moments of the game. Orange had odds of +125, meaning a $125 bet won $100.

Super Yawner

Denver’s Super Bowl 50 victory was a lot of things, but edge-of-your-seat thriller it was not. Manning’s quarterback rating of 9.9 was the lowest ever for a Super Bowl winner.

The Broncos had just 194 total yards, and only 11 first downs. Manning’s lone highlight was a successful two-point conversion passing play.

While the snooze fest might have disengaged some viewers, Manning is going out (likely) on top.

Newton is ending his season on the bottom, and his post-game interview won’t land him any sympathy. Cam’s leadership and overall persona is being criticized by the Monday morning quarterbacks for his short answers and abruptly ended press conference.

Along with the Patriots, Seahawks, and Steelers, the Las Vegas sportsbooks still have the Panthers picked to win Super Bowl LI next year with odds at 10/1.