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Bowl handle not so Super
February 7, 2008
By Brian Gabrielle VegasInsider.com
There was little super about the 2008 Super Bowl as far as Las Vegas bookmakers are concerned.
Figures released Tuesday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board showed the Super Bowl XLII clash between the New York Giants and New England Patriots produced just the third-highest Super Bowl handle ever, while turning out to be a loser at the windows.
A total of $92,055,833 exchanged hands, compared to $93, 067,358 last year and $94,534,372 in 2005.
The double-digit underdog Giants' SU 17-14 triumph over previously undefeated (18-0) New England hit bet shops where it hurt most: the pocketbook.
Books lost $2,573,103, for a won/loss percentage of (minus) 2.8 percent.
Oddsmaker Ken White, chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sports Consultants, was and wasn't surprised by the numbers.
"It's the first time in I-don't-know-how-long that we lost," White said, referring to the state's more than 175 wagering outlets.
White, who earlier had predicted there wouldn't be a record handle this year, cited the lagging economy as a big reason for the drop in action.
He pointed to the rising number of home foreclosures as an example, noting many fans did not have discretionary incomes to afford trips to Las Vegas or even Super Bowl bets.
"The economy is a major problem," he said.
"I think very few people traveled here for the game and not many passed through on their way to Arizona.
"At least I didn't hear of anything.
"There were exceptions I'm sure, but most people I spoke with indicated crowds were down."
White additionally noted public sentiment was strongly against the Patriots finishing the campaign as undefeated Super Bowl champions, which took a lot of luster off the game.
The two clubs had closed out the regular season just five weeks earlier in a contest won 38-35 by the Pats.
"There was a lot of apathy toward having the Patriots in the Super Bowl," White said.
Super Bowl Handle History 2008 $92,055,833 $2,573,103* -2.8 New York Giants 17, New England 14 2007 $93,067,358 $12,930,175 13.9 Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17 2006 $94,534,372 $ 8,828,431 9.3 Pittsburgh 21, Seattle 10 2005 $90,759,236 $15,430,138 17.0 New England 24, Philadelphia 21 2004 $81,242,191 $12,440,698 15. 3 New England 32, Carolina 29 2003 $71,693,032 $ 5,264,963 7.3 Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21 2002 $71,513,304 $ 2,331,607 3.3 New England 20, St. Louis 17 2001 $67,661,425 $11,002,636 16.3 Baltimore 34, New York Giants 7 2000 $71,046,751 $ 4,237,978 6.0 St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16 1999 $75,986,520 $ 2,906,601 3.8 Denver 34, Atlanta 19 1998 $77,253,246 $ 472,033 0.6 Denver 31, Green Bay 24 1997 $70,853,211 $ 2,265,701 3.2 Green Bay 35, New England 21 1996 $70,907,801 $ 7,126,145 10.1 Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17 1995 $69,591,818 $ 396,674* -0.6 San Francisco 49, San Diego 26 1994 $54,483,221 $ 7,481,541 13.7 Dallas 30, Buffalo 13 1993 $56,811,405 $ 7,174,869 12.6 Dallas 52, Buffalo 17 1992 $50,334,277 $ 301,280 0.6 Washington 37, Buffalo 24 1991 $40,080,409 $ 3,512,241 8.8 New York Giants 20, Buffalo 19 *Loss
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