The Super Bowl
The world’s biggest betting spectacle
Every February, America pauses for one of the most highly anticipated sporting and entertainment events on the planet: the Super Bowl. For most fans, it’s a chance to watch NFL champions battle for glory; for bettors, it’s the ultimate wagering holiday. From Las Vegas to London, from office pools to mobile sportsbooks, Super Bowl Sunday attracts unparalleled betting volume. It’s the day bookmakers prepare for months in advance. The combination of spectacle, half time shows, and decades of data makes it a bettor’s dream.
A short history of super bowl betting, How people bet on the super bowl, Record-breaking betting figures and Super bowl betting around the world
A Short History of Super Bowl Betting
The first Super Bowl, in 1967, drew limited gambling interest outside of Nevada. Only a few Las Vegas sportsbooks operated legally, and most bets were placed through bookies. By the late 1970s, point spreads on the Super Bowl became a national talking point. By the 1990s, Las Vegas had turned it into its biggest day of the year.
The 1991 Super Bowl saw about $40 million wagered legally in Nevada. By 2006, that figure reached $94.5 million. Following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that ended PASPA, sports betting expanded nationwide. In 2025, 38 U.S. states allowed legal wagering, with over $23 billion in total bets expected.
How People Bet on the Super Bowl
Traditional wagers include point spreads, money lines, and totals. Bettors also enjoy hundreds of proposition (prop) bets: from MVP winners to the colour of Gatorade poured on the winning coach. Online books like FanDuel and DraftKings offer more than 500 props each year.
In-play betting now accounts for about 25% of revenue, and millions join informal 'Super Bowl Squares' pools at home or work.
Record-Breaking Betting Figures
Year US LegalRevenue (Bookmaker Win) Notes
1991 $40m ($3.5m) First official record (Nevada)
2006 $94.5m ($8.8m) Highest % hold (9.3%)
2018 $158.6m (-$1.1m) Books lost on Eagles win
2020 $154.7m ($18.8m) Record win before expansion
2023 $153.2m(Nevada) ($11.3m) Billions nationwide
2025 $1.8b+(legal US) ($95m) AGA:$23.1b total including pools
Super Bowl Betting Around the World
In the UK, punters bet through major bookmakers like Betway and William Hill, favouring markets such as MVP or total touch downs. Canada’s Ontario province now reports over CA$120 million in Super Bowl bets annually. Australia and Asia are seeing growing interest, with a global revenue across legal and offshore channels exceeding $30 billion.
The biggest wins AND losses, Las vEGAS AS HOST AND BETTING CAPITAL, How sportsbooks manage risk and Cultural impact
The Biggest Wins and Losses
Super Bowl LII (2018) was infamous for bookmakers losing $1.1 million after the Eagles upset the Patriots. Conversely, 2020 saw one bettor turn $200 into $375,000 on a perfect score line and MVP parlay.
Gatorade colour props are legendary: orange leads all-time with six hits since 2001, followed by blue in recent years.
Las Vegas as Host and Betting Capital
Super Bowl LVIII (2024) marked the first time Las Vegas hosted the event. With 330,000 visitors, it generated about $600 million in economic impact. Nevada sportsbooks alone handled around $180 million that weekend.
How Sportsbooks Manage Risk
Operators use line balancing, hedging, and real-time data analysis to manage risk. Sharp bettors influence early lines, while public money floods in late. Despite volatility, the average hold remains around 7–10%.
Cultural Impact
Sports betting ads now feature heavily during Super Bowl broadcasts, with celebrities like Rob Gronkowski and Jamie Foxx fronting campaigns. Social media turns live bets into entertainment, and 1 in 3 viewers now place at least one wager.
Trivia & Records, Responsible gambling, Global comparison and Looking ahead
Trivia & Records
· First Super Bowl: 1967 – Packers beat Chiefs 35–10.
· Most Wins: Patriots & Steelers (6 each).
· Biggest Upset: Jets (+18) over Colts,1969.
· Largest Reported Bet: $5 million on Rams (2022).
· Coin toss 50/50 record over 58 games.
· US beer consumption: 325 million gallons on Super Bowl Sunday.
Responsible Gambling
The American Gaming Association’s 'Have A Game Plan' initiative promotes safe play. Helplines such as 1-800-GAMBLER and UK’s GamCare see spikes in contact volumes around the event. Operators enforce deposit limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion tools for those who want to use them.
Global Comparison
Compared to other major events:
· Super Bowl: $30–$40 billion in global revenue.
· FIFA World Cup Final: $25–30b.
· Kentucky Derby: $400m (race day US).
· Grand National: £250m (~$300m).
The Super Bowl is the world’s single biggest single-day betting event.
Looking Ahead
With more states legalising sports betting and international expansion continuing, future Super Bowls could continue to exceed $30 billion in global turnover. The integration of VR watch-and-bet technology may redefine engagement by 2030.
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OVERVIEW
From modest Nevada beginnings to the world’s premier gambling spectacle, the Super Bowl’s betting story mirrors the evolution of global sports wagering. Today, every touch down, half time show, or coin toss can move millions in bets. It’s the most-watched, most-bet, and most-celebrated event on the sporting calendar.
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