Proposition (prop) bets have grown in popularity throughout Nevada casinos every year, but they got their start during the Super Bowl. Anecdotally, these bets account for nearly 50 percent of the handle during the “Big Game.” The Nevada Gaming Control Board doesn’t separate the prop bets made from the traditional side or totals bets made.
While you might be able to find a few prop bets during regular season games, you’ll see 200-300 at various sportsbooks for the “Big Game” on Feb. 4. The first sportsbook operator to release their massive list prop bets in Nevada is William Hill. They’ve put together a 14-page document just for the prop bets.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for prop bets. William Hill says they will have 948 different ways to bet on the Super Bowl before the game. They, along with Station Casinos and CG Technologies will also offer live In-Play wagering during the Super Bowl. Every casino sportsbook will offer some kind of large menu of prop bets.
What are prop bets?
Prop bets are wagers on something that happens or doesn’t happen during a sporting event. It’s possible that a prop bet does not directly affect the game’s final outcome. In Nevada, only prop bets that take place on the field and can be confirmed with official box scores are allowed.
For example, this year you can wager on the specific number of points scored by the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, total touchdowns by certain players, and score for specific quarters during the Big Game. However, you cannot bet on what songs Justin Timberlake will perform during halftime of the Super Bowl.
There may be nearly 1,000 ways to wager on the Super Bowl in Nevada. However, you won’t find the strange wagers available. Fun prop bets like the color of Gatorade poured on the winning coach or over/under on how long the National Anthem will take are not available in Nevada sportsbooks. Bets unrelated to the actual game can only be found at illegal off-short sportsbooks.
Best sportsbook for prop bets in Nevada
There is no single best sportsbook for prop bets in 2018. The SuperBook at Westgate (formerly Hilton) is known for being the birthplace of prop bets. They were one of the first sportsbooks to offer a large number of prop bets.
Prop bets are so popular now that just about every sportsbook operator in Nevada offers a large prop betting menu. In the past few years, sportsbook operators that focus on mobile wagering have started to offer even more than you may be able to see in brick and mortar casino sportsbooks.
Super Bowl prop bets in Nevada sportsbooks may overlap, but the bets may also be very different. Prop bets present a great opportunity for sports bettors willing to shop around for the best price.
Every sportsbook has a different customer, so odds might be different for the same bet. Additionally, since there are so many betting opportunities, the sportsbooks may be slow to react to large wagers that change the odds.
One sportsbook may offer a bet at +200, while another may have that same bet set at +250. That small difference is $50 for each $100 wagered. This is a significant difference. Bettors can easily find these prop betting with the legal sports betting apps in Nevada.
