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.

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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