(Reuters) – The value of bets placed in Nevada sportsbooks on this year’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles was 14.8% below the record set last year, according to unaudited figures provided by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
A total of $153.2 million was wagered across Nevada’s 185 sportsbooks compared with the $179.8 million wagered on last year’s Super Bowl, the data released late on Monday showed.
Nevada sportsbooks kept a combined $11.3 million from Super Bowl bets for a hold percentage of 7.4% compared with last year when they kept $15.4 million for a hold percentage of 8.6%.
The hold total is the lowest since the NFL’s championship game in February 2019 between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams brought sportsbooks in the state $10.7 million with the same 7.4% hold.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player MVP on Sunday after leading his team to a 38-35 victory during the game in Glendale, Arizona.
Mahomes completed 21 of 27 passes during the game for 182 yards and three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter. The twice Super Bowl winner also ran for 44 yards, including a 26-yard scramble that helped set up the game-winning field goal.
Next year’s Super Bowl will be held at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders and many experts are expecting betting around that game to reach new heights.
“The Nevada Gaming Control Board looks forward to Allegiant Stadium hosting Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas next year,” Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman Kirk Hendrick said in a news release.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
