Multimillion-dollar wager placed on Eagles at MGM Resorts
Betting on Super Bowl LII is off to a flying start at Las Vegas sports books, where millions of dollars in wagers have been placed on the underdog Eagles over the Patriots.
An MGM Resorts bettor made a multimillion-dollar wager Wednesday, a South Point bettor placed a total of $500,000 in money-line wagers Thursday to win more than $800,000, and a CG Technology bettor placed a total of $700,000 in money-line wagers Friday to win more than $1 million.
MGM Resorts sports book director Jay Rood declined to specify if the multimillion-dollar bet on the Eagles was against the spread or on the money line. But New England dropped from a 5½- to 4½-point favorite at MGM Resorts — which operates 10 books on the Strip — the day the bet was made.
The Patriots opened as a 5½- to 6½-point favorite over Philadelphia on Sunday night. But heavy action on the Eagles has driven the line to as low as 4 (minus 120) at Boyd Gaming on Friday morning. The line at the other books is either 4½ or 5, with Station Casinos and MGM Resorts at 4½ (even).
The early action on Philadelphia currently has the books in the rare position of needing the Patriots.
“We’re looking for some Patriots money, for sure,” South Point sports book director Chris Andrews said.
The big bettor at South Point made four separate money-line wagers on the Eagles at plus 175, plus 170, plus 160 and plus 150.
The bettor at CG Technology, which operates nine books in Las Vegas, made three separate money-line wagers on Philadelphia.
“We need the Patriots,” CG Technology sports book director Jason Simbal said.
Historically, underdogs are a popular money-line play in the Super Bowl, which gives bettors a discounted price on the favorite. New England is minus 180 on the money line at South Point and several other shops.
The total is either 48 or 48½ for Super Bowl LII, which based on early returns is on pace to generate the third consecutive record betting handle for Nevada’s sports books. The Patriots’ 34-28 overtime win over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI generated a handle of $138.5 million.
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter.
