The Seattle Seahawks' emphatic 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX delivered a mixed bag for the betting public, but ultimately proved to be a banner night for major sportsbooks. While the public correctly identified the winner, with nearly 74% of moneyline tickets backing Seattle, the game staying well under the 45.5-point total neutralized massive liability on offensive prop bets. The defensive struggle, which saw no touchdowns until the fourth quarter, was the decisive factor that allowed betting houses to edge out the public in what is projected to be the most wagered-on event in U.S. history.

Sportsbooks Dodge Bullet with Low-Scoring 'Under'

For sportsbooks, the biggest sweat of the night wasn't the side, but the total. Public money had poured in on the Over 45.5, driven by expectations of a shootout between Seattle’s high-powered offense and New England’s efficient aerial attack. Instead, bettors watched a defensive masterclass that saw the Seahawks leading just 9-0 at halftime via three field goals.

"The game staying under is usually good for most places, and tonight was no exception," noted a trading director from a major Las Vegas sportsbook. The final combined score of 42 points stayed comfortably below the closing number, wiping out parlay tickets that tethered a Seahawks victory to a high-scoring affair. The scoreless first three quarters for the Patriots also decimated "Anytime Touchdown" parlays, which are traditionally a significant source of liability for operators.

Drake's $1 Million Patriots Wager Goes Bust

Adding to the sportsbook victory lap was another high-profile loss for rapper Drake. Known for his massive, often unsuccessful sports wagers, the superstar shared a slip on Instagram showing a $1 million bet on the Patriots moneyline (+195) to win outright. He captioned the post "Bet against me if you dare," a challenge the Seahawks defense accepted gladly.

Drake's potential $2.95 million payout evaporated as New England's offense struggled to find rhythm against head coach Mike Macdonald's defensive scheme. This loss reignited social media conversations about the "Drake Curse," as the Patriots—who entered the game as trendy underdogs—failed to cover the spread or competitive expectations.

Public Wins on Seahawks Spread

It wasn't a total washout for the betting public. The Seahawks, closing as 4.5-point favorites, covered the spread with ease. With 61% of spread bets and a staggering majority of moneyline handle on Seattle, sportsbooks did pay out significant sums on straight bets. However, the "sharp" money had initially pushed the line from -3 to -4.5 earlier in the week, meaning professional bettors likely extracted value early, while late-arriving public money merely churned money back into the ecosystem via lost prop bets.

Prop Bet Carnage: The "No TD" Scare

The most dramatic storyline for oddsmakers was the near-miss on the "No Touchdown" prop. With the score sitting at 9-0 entering the fourth quarter, sportsbooks faced a potential liability of 200-1 odds if the game finished without a single touchdown. Fortunately for the house, the teams traded end-zone trips in the final frame to avoid that historic payout.

Notable Prop Outcomes:

  • MVP: Kenneth Walker III (Running Back) won MVP, a profitable result for books as money poured in on quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Drake Maye.
  • Coin Toss: Heads (Public favorite).
  • National Anthem: Under 120 seconds (Sharp winner).
  • Gatorade Color: Blue (fitting for the Seahawks).

Record-Breaking Handle Confirmed

Preliminary reports suggest Super Bowl LX shattered betting records, with the American Gaming Association forecasting over $1.76 billion in legal wagers. This 26% increase from the previous year highlights the rapid maturity of the U.S. sports betting market. Despite the Seahawks covering, the combination of the Under hitting and key player props failing—specifically passing yardage overs for Drake Maye—ensured that the house maintained its edge on the biggest stage of them all.