Las Vegas Super Bowl betting experienced the lowest level of betting activity for the NFL championship game in a decade, according to data released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The total amount wagered on the title game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots reached 133.8 million dollars, representing a significant drop from the figures recorded in recent years.
The current handle for Vegas Super Bowl betting is the lowest reported since 2016, when 132.5 million dollars was wagered on the matchup between Denver and Carolina. This year’s total reflects an 11.7 percent decline from the 151.6 million dollars wagered last year. It also sits nearly 30 percent below the record 190 million dollars handled in 2024, when the championship game was hosted locally at Allegiant Stadium.
Despite the reduction in total volume, the state’s 186 licensed sportsbooks still managed a profitable Sunday. Operators reported a collective win of approximately 9.9 million dollars, which translates to a 7.4 percent hold. While this profit is a sharp decline from the record 22.1 million dollars earned by books last year, it remains a consistent outcome within historical norms for the industry.
Industry analysts pointed to several factors for the cooling interest in Vegas Super Bowl betting. One primary reason cited was the specific matchup. The game featured two defensive-minded teams and lacked the high-profile offensive star power that typically drives casual wagering and prop bet interest. Furthermore, the game remained low-scoring until the fourth quarter, which reportedly dampened live betting enthusiasm.
Competition from other markets is also reshaping the landscape. As legal sports wagering continues to expand across dozens of states, many bettors no longer feel the need to travel to Nevada to place their season-ending bets. The rise of federally regulated prediction markets has also been noted as a potential drain on traditional sportsbook handles.
While Nevada once held a near-monopoly on legal sports gambling, the 2026 figures highlight a shifting environment where the state must compete with a nationwide network of mobile apps and local retail books. Local operators noted that while the spectacle of the weekend remains a major draw for tourism, the betting totals are now being spread across a much larger national pie.
