Record Dollars Bet And Lost In Super Bowl XLVIII
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Super Bowl achieved record ratings on Sunday night. Perhaps it's because so many people had money riding on the game.
A record $119.4 million was wagered on the game in Nevada alone, according to RJ Bell of pregame.com, over $20 million more than the previous record. Unfortunately for the public, much of that money was gambled on the Broncos, who were favored by 2.5 points by game time, and lost to the Seahawks, 43-8. In Nevada, the bettors lost a record $19.8 million on the Super Bowl.
The money bet in Nevada is just a small percentage of the total amount bet both legally, and illegally, worldwide.
The Seahawks opened up as a one point favorite in many places, but the line quickly swung in favor of the Broncos when much of the early money came in on Peyton Manning and the Broncos.
According to Bell, if the game was played again next week, and again at the neutral field, the Seahawks would be favored by 3.5 points.