Pats' theft affected millions
LAS VEGAS — If being $3.3 million richer after Sunday’s Super Bowl is what Nevada sports books consider a worst case scenario, imagine the riches if a last minute play, second-guessed around the world, had gone a little differently.
“I can’t even tell you how many millions of dollars changed hands,” said Johnny Avello, director of the Wynn’s sports and race book of the game-ending moment that had the Seahawks throwing an interception at the end zone. He and others banked on a Seahawks win since the Patriots were favored, ever so slightly.
The state’s 191 sports books won $3.3 million of the total $116 million wagered on the Super Bowl, said Nevada Gaming Control Board officials Monday.
The amount was a drop from last year’s record-breaking bets totaling $119.4 million when sports books kept $19.7 million after the Seattle Seahawks’ easily overtook Denver, 43-8.
Wynn, Westgate Las Vegas and William Hill sports book operators said the New England Patriots’ 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks represented the worst case scenario for their businesses based on the bets placed. Plenty was at stake with gamblers wagering six-figures, in some cases, for either team. At least one gambler wagered $1 million on the Patriots.
“That bet happened here,” Avello said.
But for the grace of side bets some of the sports books’ losses might have been greater.
William Hill won $1,000 on the coin flip that turned up tails.
“That was a good start for us,” said Michael Grodsky, spokesman for William Hill which operates 105 sports books and a smartphone app in Nevada. “Could have used a little better finish.”
William Hill’s win was a modest one, down compared to last year, but the total amount of wagers with the sports book was up 10 percent year over year.
