The build-up to NFL finale, mysteriously, featured vast amounts of gamblers backing the Eagles to pull off the upset. While the line opened in the 5.5 point range, It progressively dropped throughout the week showing just how much people believed Brady, would be denied his sixth ring.
"Let it ride."
The all in bettor struck again! How can a single individual impact the spread in the biggest gambling event of the year? Three million was his initial wager at MGM Resorts, and that was the maximum amount that individual book wanted to take in action from the serendipitous European. He would take the rest of his action elsewhere and spread the rest of his bets as follows:
Two separate $1 million bets with William Hill.
$700,000 wager South Point.
$700,000 wager CGT Technology.
Unknown at the Wynn.
(add the original $3 million at MGM)
The exact numbers he was getting on the money line are unspecified but are said to be in the +150 to +170 range. The all in bettor was steadily given bad odds, but still took the numbers and hammered the books. After it was all said and done, he profited over $10 million, once again giving gamblers a tale to narrate for ages.
From the Cashier's Window
With the exception of 2015, the handle sportsbooks take in for the big game has grown every year.
2013 Bal/SF $98.9 Million
2014 Den/Sea $119.4 Million
2016 Den/Car $132.5 Million
2017 NE/Atl $138.5 Million
2018 NE/Phi $158.6 Million
As you can see, the jump in handle from last year to this season was over $20 million. A massive spurt, similar to the one witnessed in the 2014 Superbowl. So $158.6 million is notably the record for cash taken in, but how much was profited in a contest in which the underdog and the over cashed? That's usually a recipe for a Sunday Bloody Sunday for the books
The guys behind the glass profited $1.17 Million in this year's big game. This is the lowest figure of gain for books in 10 years. Much has to do with large money line bets on Philadelphia tacked on to the over cashing easily. Where some books were able to get money back was on the prop bets and Patriot futures which served as some sort of redemption. Sportsbooks have now profited in 26 of the last 28 Superbowls. The two losses coming in 1995 and 2008.
With such a big handle this year the books were hoping to profit more than 0.7%. Even in the 2011 matchup between the Packers and Steelers, books only handled $87.4 million total but profited $724,176, good for a gain of 0.8%. The record for profits happened when the Seahawks routed the Broncos in 2014, the total win was $19.6 million, and a hold of 16.5%.
Overall, the books made the smallest of profits, but they will take it considering the number of bets that were on the Eagles. Futures, Props, and in-game Patriot backers saves would have been an unpropitious day.
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL 53
New England Patriots +500
Philadelphia Eagles +700
Green Bay Packers +800
Pittsburgh Steelers +1000
Minnesota Vikings +1200
Los Angeles Rams +1750
San Francisco 49ers +1800
Houston Texans +1850
New Orleans Saints +1850
Jacksonville Jaguars +2000
Atlanta Falcons +2000
Dallas Cowboys +2000
Oakland Raiders +2100
Carolina Panthers +2500
Seattle Seahawks +2500
Kansas City Chiefs +3000
Los Angeles Chargers +3000
Denver Broncos +3500
Indianapolis Colts +4000
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +4000
Baltimore Ravens +5000
Arizona Cardinals +5000
Tennessee Titans +5000
Detroit Lions +5000
New York Giants +5500
Miami Dolphins +7000
Washington Redskins +7000
New York Jets +10000
Chicago Bears +10000
Cincinnati Bengals +10000
Buffalo Bills +10000
Cleveland Browns +10000
Any questions or comments follow me on twitter @JerryBoknowz
