Not even sports’ biggest game is immune to economic market forces. This year’s “handle” (amount wagered) in Nevada sports books for the Super Bowl was $81.5 million, down 11.5% from last year and the lowest since 2004. But it wasn’t a bad thing for the books, which rebounded from a loss in last-year’s game (one of only two times the casinos lost money) to win a healthy $6.7 million, or 8.2% of the handle. The books won by virtue of the Steelers failing to cover the 6.5 pointspread, as Pittsburgh won 27-23. Winnings from the multitude of “proposition” bets also contributed.
No OT: Speaking of propositions, last week’s column pointed out that there has never been an overtime in a Super Bowl. The end of that streak was as close as it has ever been, until Pittsburgh scored a touchdown in the last 35 seconds, saving the no-OT bettors big money (read about another prop in the Q&A).
Folies Closing: The Tropicana’s iconic Folies Bergère will close after its March 28 performance, less than a year away from its 50th anniversary (it opened on Christmas Eve 1959). The producers say it’s the longest-running show in the United States.
Lion Opening: Tickets for Las Vegas’ next big attraction, "The Lion King” at Mandalay Bay, go on sale February 28. Tickets are $168.50, $113.50, $86, and $53. Previews start April 22 and run through May 1. The first 100 ticket buyers get a free copy of the original cast recording.
Question: There was a Super Bowl proposition on how long it would take for Jennifer Hudson to sing the national anthem. How did that turn out?
Anthony Curtis’ weekly column is syndicated to all the above media outlets.
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