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This year, Nevada was surprisingly quiet for a weekend that usually feels like the center of the betting world. The Nevada Gaming Control Board reported that sportsbooks in the state took in $133.8 million in bets on Seattle’s 29-13 win over New England. That is the smallest amount wagered on the Super Bowl in Nevada since 2016, when $132.5 million was bet on Denver vs. Carolina. The number is notable because sports betting has grown significantly across the country.
Nevada betting lags behind past years
Looking at the last few years, the difference becomes clearer. In 2025, Nevada sportsbooks took in $151.6 million on the game. The total in 2024 was just over $190 million. Even in seasons without all-time great games, the handle usually exceeded $150 million without much trouble. This year’s $133.8 million marks a noticeable pullback.
Part of the decline is likely due to access. In many states, people who want to bet no longer have to fly to Las Vegas or cross state lines. Mobile apps have changed the game by spreading Super Bowl action across the country instead of concentrating it in Nevada.
The matchup itself may have contributed as well. Seattle played well and made a strong case for itself, but overall excitement was lower than in recent games featuring high-profile quarterbacks and dramatic finishes.
Nevada sportsbooks still profit from Super Bowl
Lower betting volume does not necessarily mean a bad result for sportsbooks. Nevada operators reported a combined win of $9.8 million on the game, resulting in a 7.4% hold. That is well below last year’s $22.1 million profit and 14.6% hold, but it remains a solid outcome by normal standards.
A hold of around 7% is generally in line with what books expect for a major event. Nothing dramatic, nothing disastrous—just steady business. Seattle’s 29-13 victory also avoided some of the wild prop swings that can strain a sportsbook’s balance sheet. The result was straightforward, which tends to make risk more manageable.
Decade-low betting reflects industry shift
For years, Nevada’s Super Bowl handle has been viewed as more than just a betting statistic. Some industry watchers treat it as a small window into broader economic confidence and consumer spending habits. When the total spikes, it can signal that people are comfortable putting money into entertainment. When it dips, questions follow.
That said, the landscape has changed dramatically. Legal sports betting is now available in dozens of states. The overall pie has grown, but Nevada’s slice is naturally smaller than it used to be. Las Vegas still offers the spectacle: packed sportsbooks, watch parties, and the energy of championship Sunday remain a draw. From a handle standpoint, though, the days of Nevada being the unquestioned hub of Super Bowl betting are clearly evolving.
Seattle may have lifted the trophy, but the bigger story in the Silver State was the smaller betting total. In a market that once dominated the nation’s action, this year’s number serves as a reminder that the sports betting world looks very different from what it did a decade ago.
