Super Bowl Sunday at the sportsbook often looks like this: Frenzied betting starts in the morning and continues up to the 3:25 p.m. kickoff. Experienced bettors lay down their greenbacks, knowing who is injured and who is favored. Novices scratch their heads over the spreads and propositions, some even over the basics of football.
This is the game that attracts old-timers and newbies. It’s the culmination of a season for the avid fan. For those who aren’t so obsessed, it’s a social event highlighted by commercials. It’s all about fans who have an opinion who then spice up the game by putting money on the line, said one local sportsbook manager. And that’s what makes this the most profitable day of the year for sportsbooks. Nevada sportsbooks collected a record $94.5 million from last year’s game.
“The thing about the Super Bowl is, it brings out people who never bet on anything, making it the highest-grossing vetted game in the U.S. – that’s legal,” said Steve Napoletano, sportsbook supervisor for Leroy’s Race & Sportsbook in the Carson Nugget. “We take more Super Bowl bets than anything else.”
Using sports knowledge and luck, a gambler can walk out with a heavy wallet. Or not.
Louie Sanchez, of Carson City, has bet on Super Bowls since Joe Namath won Most Valuable Player in 1969, that was Super Bowl III. The game takes on a greater meaning when you have money on it, he said.
The most the 57-year-old has ever won on a game was $420, which may still be a comfort when he thinks about how much he’s bet and lost.
Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Ed O’Donnell, of Minden, holds his Super Bowl betting tickets Tuesday at the Carson Station.
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Sanchez made his picks this week at the Cal Neva Sports Book inside the Carson Station with his friend Freddie Melendez, a warehouse manager from Carson City. They eyed the special “in-house” props, which are bets specific to the Cal Neva sports books. Sometimes the props can get a little odd.
This week, the Cal Neva pulled its bets that included members of the Wolf Pack basketball team. University of Nevada, Reno officials said the wagers violated an NCAA rule that prohibits the use of student athletes to promote a business.
That’s unfortunate for Sanchez and Melendez, who believed they could win money favoring a star on the 15th-ranked Wolf Pack over the Super Bowl.
The special prop: Kyle Shiloh, a Pack guard, total assists during the Saturday game against Hawaii vs. the total number of field goals made in the Super Bowl.
They’ll have other options, such as: total goals scored at this morning’s Manchester United soccer game vs. the Bears’ total touchdowns.
Vince Carter’s total points scored today during the Hawks and Nets game vs. Colts-Bears total points in the first half.
To grab a greater share of gamblers, sportsbooks offer these creative props for basketball, golf, soccer, NASCAR and hockey fans.
“It’s crazy,” said old-time sports bettor Allen “Ozzie” Osborn, 77, who then laughed at the unusual props.
He’ll place a bet on Sunday, probably for the Colts (who are favored) after watching the newspaper for the injury report. It’s not his favorite game on which to bet. The most he’s ever won is $1,000. It can be difficult to pick between the two best teams in the league.
Osborn, who divides his time between home and the casino, said he’ll probably watch his pick from home.
“It can get nuts here,” he said.
There’s an even stranger bet at Casino Fandango, but it’s for those who have the patience.
At Fandango’s sports book, fans can place a bet on whether the highest-scoring game will be in 2007 or 2008.
“It doesn’t matter which side you bet on, you’ll have to wait a year to find out,” said Jason Kolenut, Casino Fandango race and sport book supervisor.
Just don’t lose your winning ticket.
Source: Nevada Appeal