Nevada’s legal sports betting has been experiencing a steady growth for years before the casinos closed and sports leagues halted their seasons due to the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic. ESPN’s David Purdum reports that Nevada sportsbooks have not recorded a losing month since July 2013.
Nevada sportsbooks are not only winning every month, but people are also wagering on sports more than ever. The UNLV Center for Gaming Research reports that since 2009, the amount of money wagered on sports in Nevada has increased annually.
The growth in sports betting over the past decade continues to surge, partly due to the legalization of sports betting across the nation. As larger states legalize sports betting, mainstream sports media is increasingly focusing on gambling. The heightened reporting and dissemination of information regarding sports betting is reaching local and national audiences who may not have had access to such information previously.
Despite Nevada’s established status as a sports gambling state, recreational bettors are still influenced. The likelihood of involvement increases as more individuals become aware of a subject. In 2019, a record-breaking $5.3 billion was gambled on sports in Nevada. As expected, football betting dominated, accounting for almost $1.9 billion of all bets placed that year.
Super Bowl could be in Las Vegas sooner than later
Football has been a favorite among sports bettors in Nevada long before it was announced that the Raiders would be relocating to Las Vegas. Once the initial excitement over having a local team wore off, focus shifted to what other professional football events Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, would host.
Regrettably, the initial experience of NFL was called off. The 2020 NFL Draft was originally planned to occur in Las Vegas this month, but the event on the Vegas Strip was downsized to aid in curbing the spread of coronavirus. The 2020 draft is now set to happen with no spectators.
The NFL Draft may possibly return to Las Vegas following its occurrence in Cleveland, OH the upcoming year. Additionally, the NFL is contemplating about relocating the Pro Bowl to Las Vegas. Despite being NFL events, none can rival the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl, termed as the Big Game and the Big Kahuna of NFL events, might be hosted in Las Vegas in the near future.
The NFL and New Orleans are considering rescheduling the 2025 Super Bowl hosting date due to conflicting events. https://t.co/1J5g1ZYJmS @NOdotFootball
Rewritten: Nick Underhill posted this on April 3, 2020 (source: @nick_underhill)
Currently, Las Vegas does not have a Super Bowl scheduled, however, this could be subject to change. Below is a list of the Super Bowl locations through to 2025.
- Super Bowl LV took place on February 7, 2021, at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
- Super Bowl 56: February 6, 2022, at LA Stadium at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, California.
- Super Bowl 57: February 5, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
- Super Bowl 58: February 4, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in New Orleans, LA.
Las Vegas could potentially host a Super Bowl as early as 2025.
Las Vegas Super Bowl should be a record for sportsbooks
Should a Super Bowl occur in Las Vegas, it is expected to break sports betting records in Nevada. This is due to the expansion of mainstream sports media coverage nationwide and the current upward trend in sports betting handle. These factors are projected to result in a major event for Nevada sportsbooks whenever the game takes place.
Chris Bennett, the sportsbook manager at Circa Sports, concurs with the rising popularity of sports betting. He stated to PlayNevada that he sees no reason why it wouldn’t set a new record for handle at Nevada sportsbooks.
Sportsbooks in Nevada already experience large crowds and significant betting activity for the Super Bowl. The 2020 Super Bowl saw just over $154 in bets, representing the second highest amount ever wagered on the game.
The inaugural hosting of the Super Bowl by Las Vegas is expected to attract an unprecedented number of visitors and spotlight sports betting like never before. This convergence is likely to help Nevada shatter past Super Bowl wagering records.
