Betting on Super Bowl XLII Likely to Shatter Online, Las Vegas Records

Betting on Super Bowl XLII means betting on two of the biggest market teams in the NFL, the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.  Following both teams wins this past Sunday, the NFL and bookmakers each had dollar signs in their eyes.

For online gambling sites this is a dream come true.  It is likely to be the most watched and most bet on due to the large population centers encompassing both teams.  

The Giants are considered New York and New Jersey's team while the Patriots embrace all of New England.

"That's the entire Northeast US," says Don Shapiro, Sports Commentator for Gambling911.com.  "It's fair to say that at least one out of every three people living in this part of the US will be placing bets on the Super Bowl, whether that is online or amongst each other."

Las Vegas, because they do not offer online gambling, will have to settle for bettors coming to their counters.

Nevada's 176 legal sports books are hoping a double-digit point spread, heavy betting from the two teams' huge fan bases and the game's location in neighboring Arizona will create the first $100 million "handle," or betting total, for a Super Bowl game, writes Michael McCarthy of USA Today.

"This could be the biggest-bet game ever," predicts Chuck Esposito, assistant vice president of race and sports book operations at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. But Jay Kornegay, executive director of the Las Vegas Hilton's race and sports book, counters the only game that would generate $100 million in "action," or betting, would be Tom Brady's Patriots vs. Brett Favre's Green Bay Packers.

McCarthy points out that some sports books thought the Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI would crack $100 million last year. Instead, the $93 million handle fell $1.5 million short of the record $94.5 million bet on Super Bowl XL between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks, according to Frank Streshley, senior analyst at the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Already, Bookmaker.com had both sides playing in Super Bowl XLI getting more action than any games being played out on the present date of January 24, 2008.

From Bookmaker.com:

Super Bowl betting records prove that this activity is a huge moneymaking deal both for sportsbooks and sports bettors all around the world. And now, betting on the Super Bowl can be done with a wide variety of options, including office pools, proposition bets, handicapping contests and many more. All of these options are conveniently offered at BookMaker.com for all to enjoy. When picking a winning bet for the Super Bowl, it is almost always profitable to concentrate on the winning team. The history of the Super Bowl shows that the team that wins the game almost always covers the spread. So, in order to win while betting on the Super Bowl, if you pick the team that wins you are almost certain to cover the betting spread. Of course, it can't hurt to buy some points or put in a teaser in order to further your chances of scoring some dough.

Bookmaker has been taking bets on the Super Bowl offshore since 1985 and went online in 1998.  The amount of volume will exceed the millions since the company is known for taking extensive "sharp" or "wise guy" action. 

The benefits of playing offshore include receiving cash percentage bonuses based on how much money is deposited.  Simply deposit $100 or more before February 1st, 2008 and receive a 25% Deposit Bonus at Bookmaker.com.  For example, if you were to deposit $500 into your online betting account, another $125 would be added.

The company also offers in-game wagering where you can get on every event during Super Bowl XLI as it happens.  There are numerous other proposition bets offered by the company without having to hop a plane to Vegas.

The company was offering New England as a -12 favorite.  An early season bet on the Giants to win Super Bowl XLI has the potential to pay out $10,000 for every $100 bet at Bookmaker.com. 

"Gambling911.com is gearing up for one of its biggest traffic periods in some time," said Senior Editor, Payton O'Brien.  "Gambling911.com is now positioned to drive more traffic than ever before thanks to its extensive Web and Media presence."

Gambling911.com Publisher, Christopher Costigan, has appeared on Fox News leading up to past Super Bowls. 

Former Giants Super Bowl winner, Ottis Anderson, believes the Giants can upset New England on February 3.

"It was almost the exact same scenario," Anderson told NewsDay. "It's just like when we played San Francisco. Nobody gave us a chance. Playing one of the greatest quarterbacks in history. But we did it."

The Giants went on to upset the Bills the next week in Tampa, and Anderson was the Most Valuable Player, rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown in one of the greatest Super Bowl upsets ever.

Anderson believes Eli Manning's Giants are about to pull off a similar upset in Super Bowl XLII a week from Sunday. For many of the same reasons the Giants knocked off the Bills 17 years ago.

"Just look at what the Giants have done in the playoffs. Personnel-wise, they weren't supposed to beat Dallas," Anderson said. "And if they did get by Dallas, then they certainly weren't going to beat Green Bay on their field with Brett Favre and his mystique. The Lambeau history. The cold weather. Everything pointed to the Giants' failures."
 

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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher CCostigan@CostiganMedia.com

Originally published January 24, 2008 1:44 pm EST