Super Bowl LX in Nevada saw the lowest amount of money wagered on the game in ten years, a notable shift from previous years. Despite this decrease in betting volume, Nevada sportsbooks still managed to turn a profit. This trend follows a period of increasing legalization of sports betting across the United States, raising questions about the future impact on traditional betting hubs like Las Vegas. The game itself, a lower-scoring affair between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, may have contributed to the reduced betting activity.
Handle and Profit Declines Amidst Wider Betting Landscape
Nevada's sportsbooks processed $133.8 million in wagers for Super Bowl LX, marking an 11.7 percent drop compared to Super Bowl LIX and a 20 percent reduction from the prior year. This figure represents the lowest betting handle since 2016, when the total wagers reached $132.5 million. The state's sportsbooks reported a profit of $9.9 million on the game, with a hold percentage of 7.4 percent. This contrasts with the $22.1 million profit and 14.6 percent hold from the previous year's Super Bowl.
Read More: Man Utd vs. Spurs: Shocking Odds Expose Betting Scandal?
The Nevada Gaming Control Board released these figures, showing a consistent trend of declining betting volume.
This decrease is occurring as more states introduce legalized sports betting, allowing wagers to be placed via mobile devices.
The argument is made that this wider availability means "what used to happen in Vegas has not stayed in Vegas," potentially impacting the overall betting market in Nevada.
Factors Influencing Betting Behavior
Several factors are cited as potential reasons for the reduced Super Bowl LX betting handle:
Matchup Dynamics: The game featured a matchup between two defensive-minded teams, the Seahawks and Patriots. This low-scoring game may have deterred casual bettors.
Lack of Star Quarterbacks: The absence of highly recognized quarterbacks like Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes was noted. Casual bettors are often drawn to games featuring such prominent figures.
"Snoozer" Game: Descriptions of the game as a "snoozer" and a "Photographic Under" suggest a lack of excitement that might typically drive larger betting volumes.
Parlay Attrition: While sportsbooks profited, the nature of same-game parlays, which require multiple correct outcomes, can lead to fewer high payouts when scoring is low. This affects certain betting markets, particularly prop bets tied to scoring.
"Casual bettors bet stars, not schemes."
Historical Performance of Nevada Sportsbooks
Data from the Nevada Gaming Control Board reveals a fluctuating pattern in Super Bowl wagering over the last decade. While Super Bowl LX saw a significant dip, other years have experienced substantial handle amounts.
| Year | Betting Handle | Win Amounts | Hold Percentage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $133,813,230 | $9,892,055 | 7.4% | Seattle 29, New England 13 |
| 2025 | $151,618,159 | $22,134,104 | 14.6% | Philadelphia 40, Kansas City 22 |
| 2024 | $190,020,783 | $11,182,973 | 5.9% | Kansas City 25, San Francisco 22 (OT) |
| 2023 | $153,183,002 | $4,361,646 | 2.8% | Kansas City 38, Philadelphia 35 |
| 2022 | $179,823,715 | $11,063,412 | 6.2% | Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati 20 |
| 2021 | $136,096,460 | $12,574,125 | 9.2% | Tampa Bay 31, Kansas City 9 |
| 2020 | $154,679,241 | $18,774,148 | 12.1% | Kansas City 31, San Francisco 20 |
| 2019 | $145,939,025 | $10,780,319 | 7.4% | New England 13, L.A. Rams 3 |
| 2018 | $158,586,934 | $1,170,432 | 0.7% | Philadelphia 41, New England 33 |
| 2017 | $138,480,136 | $10,937,826 | 7.9% | New England 34, Atlanta 28 (OT) |
| 2016 | $132,545,587 | $13,314,539 | 10.1% | Denver 24, Carolina 10 |
The handle in 2024 was the highest in this ten-year period.
The lowest handle, prior to Super Bowl LX, was recorded in 2016.
Evolving Betting Markets and Sportsbook Success
Despite the overall drop in handle, sportsbooks were able to profit due to the nature of the game and the diversification of betting markets.
A low-scoring game means fewer "overs" bets, which often attract significant public money, result in wins for bettors.
The success of prop bets and same-game parlays is influenced by scoring and key statistical events. When scoring is limited, fewer of these high-payout bets materialize.
Sportsbooks today rely not just on game outcomes but on a broad range of betting options, including player props and totals, to ensure profitability.
"Super Bowl LX underscores that sportsbook success today depends not just on spreads and outcomes, but on the full spectrum of betting markets."
Expert Insights on Shifting Trends
Industry observers point to the broader legalization of sports betting as a primary driver of the declining handle in Nevada.
The proliferation of mobile betting apps across many states offers convenience and accessibility that can draw money away from traditional brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
The quality of the game's participants, particularly star quarterbacks, is seen as a critical factor in attracting casual bettors, who often represent a significant portion of the betting handle.
The shift in betting dynamics suggests that operators must adapt to a more complex and dispersed betting landscape.
Conclusion and Implications
Super Bowl LX's reduced betting handle in Nevada signifies a potential turning point. While sportsbooks remain profitable, the consistent year-over-year decline in the amount wagered raises questions about the long-term impact of nationwide betting legalization on Nevada's sports betting industry. The game's low-scoring nature and the perceived lack of star power were contributing factors, but the overarching trend appears to be a dispersal of betting activity across a wider geographical area due to increased accessibility of sports wagering. This trend necessitates a continued examination of betting patterns and strategies employed by Nevada sportsbooks to maintain their market position.
Sources
NBC Sports: Nevada sportbooks' profits, handle were down for Super Bowl LXhttps://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nevada-sportbooks-profits-handle-were-down-for-super-bowl-lxContext: This article provides an overview of the financial results for Nevada sportsbooks following Super Bowl LX, highlighting the decrease in handle and profit, and referencing the impact of wider legalization.
VSIN: Nevada Sportsbooks Win On Another Super Bowl, But Betting Handle Drops Againhttps://vsin.com/nfl/nevada-sportsbooks-win-on-another-super-bowl-but-betting-handle-drops-again/Context: This report details the Super Bowl LX results for Nevada sportsbooks, including the handle drop, and references historical data from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. It also offers insights into specific betting outcomes of the game.
SCCG Management: Super Bowl LX & Evolved Betting Dynamics - How Sportsbooks Profited Even With Heavy Seahawks Spread Supporthttps://sccgmanagement.com/sccg-articles/2026/2/10/super-bowl-lx-evolved-betting-dynamics-how-sportsbooks-profited/Context: This article focuses on the factors contributing to sportsbook profits despite betting trends, emphasizing the role of a low-scoring game and the diversification of betting markets like parlays and prop bets.
Bookies.com: Nevada Super Bowl Betting Handle Hits 10-Year Low In Seahawks-Patriots Snoozerhttps://bookies.com/news/nevada-super-bowl-betting-handle-hits-10-year-low-in-seahawks-patriots-snoozerContext: This report identifies the 10-year low in Nevada's Super Bowl betting handle for Super Bowl LX and suggests the matchup and lack of prominent quarterbacks as reasons for the subdued betting activity.
Review Journal: Nevada sportsbooks see lowest Super Bowl betting handle since 2016https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/nevada-sportsbooks-see-lowest-super-bowl-betting-handle-since-2016-3618014/Context: This article presents detailed year-by-year data on Nevada's Super Bowl betting handles and win amounts, clearly showing that Super Bowl LX's handle was the lowest since 2016.
Gaming Awards: Super Bowl Betting Handle In Nevada Lowest In 10 Yearshttps://gaming-awards.com/NEWS/super-bowl-betting-handle-in-nevada-lowest-in-10-years/Context: This piece reiterates the finding of a ten-year low in Nevada's Super Bowl betting handle and attributes the decline to the defensive nature of the game and the lack of marquee star players.
Gaming Intelligence: Nevada records lowest Super Bowl wagering in a decadehttps://www.gamingintelligence.com/sectors/betting/226052-nevada-records-lowest-super-bowl-wagering-in-a-decade/Context: This report provides specific figures for Super Bowl LX wagering in Nevada ($133.8 million) and the resulting profit ($9.9 million), confirming it as the lowest in a decade and comparing it to previous years.
