LAS VEGAS — The confetti has settled at Levi's Stadium, and while the Seattle Seahawks are celebrating their decisive 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60, the real winners might just be the sportsbooks. In a weekend defined by massive national volume and high-stakes drama, Nevada's sportsbooks successfully navigated a field of whale bets to report a profitable $9.9 million win, holding 7.4% of the wagers placed within the Silver State.

While the national handle is projected to smash records—approaching a staggering $1.7 billion across all legal U.S. jurisdictions—Nevada saw a surprising dip in total volume. The state's handle came in at $133.8 million, the lowest figure since 2016, as bettors reacted to a defensive-minded matchup led by quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Drake Maye. Despite the lower local volume, the "under" cashing and the Seahawks covering the spread ensured the house kept the lights on in Las Vegas.

Nevada's $133.8M Handle: A Dip in the Desert

For decades, Nevada was the undisputed king of Super Bowl betting, but Super Bowl 60 marked a shifting tide. The $133.8 million handle represents a significant drop from the record-breaking $185.6 million wagered during Super Bowl 58. Industry analysts point to several factors for the decline in physical tickets written in Las Vegas:

  • Matchup Fatigue: The Seahawks-Patriots clash, featuring Sam Darnold against second-year pro Drake Maye, lacked the star-studded offensive firepower of previous Mahomes-led finales, keeping some casual tourists away from the counters.
  • Mobile Migration: With over 38 states now offering legal sports betting, fewer bettors feel the need to fly to Vegas solely to place a wager.
  • Defensive Struggle: The game's slow start—Seattle led just 9-0 at halftime with no touchdowns scored until the fourth quarter—likely suppressed in-game wagering volume, a key revenue driver.

Despite the lower handle, the 7.4% hold was a strong bounce-back for operators. "The public usually pounds the 'Over' and the trailing team," noted a senior trader at a major Strip sportsbook. "When the game stays under the total and the favorite pulls away late, it's usually a good day for the book."

National Handle Hits $1.7 Billion Milestone

While Nevada's physical books saw a quiet year, the digital realm exploded. Preliminary reports suggest the total amount wagered legally in the United States hovered near $1.7 billion, shattering previous records. The surge was driven by the maturation of massive markets like New York, Ohio, and Florida, where mobile apps handled millions of micro-bets and Same Game Parlays (SGPs).

The proliferation of prop bets continues to fuel this growth. Even in a low-scoring affair, betting on defensive metrics, field goals, and specific quarter results kept engagement high. The Seahawks' Kenneth Walker III, who took home MVP honors, was a popular target for player props, though his success was balanced out by the Patriots' offensive struggles, which killed countless "Over" parlays.

The Whale Bets: Kendall Jenner's $1M Loss & High Stakes Drama

No Super Bowl recap is complete without the stories of the "whales"—the high-rollers whose seven-figure wagers can make or break a sportsbook's quarter. This year, the headlines were dominated not just by professional gamblers, but by celebrity action.

Reports from VIP hosts indicate that reality star and entrepreneur Kendall Jenner was among the night's biggest losers. Jenner reportedly placed a $1 million wager on a Patriots upset or a high-scoring affair (sources vary on the specific market), a ticket that became worthless as the Seahawks' defense suffocated New England in the second half. Her loss was a microcosm of the public's struggle; nearly 60% of moneyline tickets were on the Patriots as underdogs, hoping for a Cinderella story from Drake Maye.

Conversely, sharp money appeared to be on the Seahawks early. Seattle opened as -4.5 favorites and, despite some line movement, covered the spread comfortably with their 16-point margin of victory. One anonymous bettor at Circa Sports reportedly cashed a $500,000 ticket on the Seahawks -4.5, proving that while the public creates the volume, the sharps still shape the market.

Game Script Favors the House: The "Under" Strikes Again

The final score of 29-13 (42 total points) played perfectly into the hands of oddsmakers who had set the total around 45.5 points. For the vast majority of the game, the "Under" looked like a lock, with the score sitting at a paltry 9-0 entering the break.

The 4th Quarter Explosion

The game did "open up" in the fourth quarter, which saw a flurry of 30 combined points. This late surge gave "Over" bettors a glimmer of hope, but the clock eventually ran out on their tickets. This late-game volatility is often where sportsbooks make their margins; live bettors chasing points likely doubled down on the "Over" during the fourth-quarter scoring spree, only to fall short by a field goal's worth of points.

What This Means for 2027

As the books close on Super Bowl 60, the industry is already looking toward 2027. The data is clear: the era of Nevada's monopoly is long over, but the state remains the spiritual home of high-stakes sweats. Meanwhile, the national appetite for sports betting shows no signs of slowing down, regardless of the matchup.

For now, Las Vegas bookmakers will happily cash their $9.9 million in winnings, thanking the Seattle defense—and perhaps Kendall Jenner—for a profitable Sunday in the desert.