Super Bowl LV turned out to be a pretty good deal for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who won the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy behind a dominant performance by the defense.
It also turned out to be a great day for fans, sportsbooks, and a number of bettors who put up some big wagers on the game. Here’s a recap of betting action on Super Bowl LV.
Record Breaking
The total amount bet on Super Bowl 55 is still an unknown at this point but should be in the $5 to $7 billion range. The American Gaming Association projected a total of $4.5 billion to be bet on the game, which is down from last year. The coronavirus may play a role in the final numbers.
The total amount bet legally in the U.S. on Super Bowl LV is being reported in the $443.7 million range. It’s no surprise that Nevada led all U.S. states with $136 million and New Jersey was second at $117 million.
A handful of states, like Michigan which legalized sports betting just this year, are not providing details of Super Bowl betting. When it’s all said and done, legal Super Bowl bets in the U.S. will likely be around $500 million.
Mattress Mack Is Back
If you’re not familiar, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, has made a number of huge sports bets in his lifetime. Super Bowl LV was another of those occasions.
The Houston-area furniture store giant flew to Colorado to lay down $3.43 million on Tampa Bay at +3.5 (-126). McIngvale liked his chances since there hadn’t been a repeat Super Bowl champion in 16 years. He ended up winning $2.71 million.
Other Big Bets
Mattress Mack wasn’t the only one laying down seven figures on the big game. Two bettors put down a total of $3.66 million on the Chiefs on the moneyline. One bettor wagered $2.5 million at -165 and the other bet $1.16 million at -155 on Kansas City.
A Vegas bettor put down $2.3 million on Tampa Bay at +3.5 (-115). He won a cool $2 million. Two other seven-figure bets were placed on the game. A $1 million wager was made on the Bucs on the moneyline at +135. That one cashed while another – a $1 million teaser on Bucs +9 and Over 50 – did not.
Interesting Bets
One of the bigger winners on the Super Bowl was a New Jersey bettor who first bet $275K on the Bucs at +0.5 (-125) in the first quarter. That bet, of course, was a winner and the bettor rolled his winning into a $486K two-leg parlay – Tampa Bay +7.5 in the second half and a second-half Under of 28.5. Both legs won and the bettor pocketed $1 million.
Other interesting bets included:
A $450 wager on Rob Gronkowski to score the game’s first touchdown paid $8,100 to one lucky bettor.
There was a $10,000 bet on the opening kickoff NOT being returned for a touchdown. The winnings? $200.
A New Jersey bettor plopped down $3,000 on Patrick Mahomes to go without a touchdown pass at +1500. Mahomes would throw two interceptions and no touchdowns. The bettor won $45,000.
