SPORTS
SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Two dynasties ended and two records were left untouched Sunday when New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick rushed off the field in disgust as a Super Bowl loser.
The Patriots' perfect run was stopped as they finished the season 18-1 and failed to make NFL history. A streak of 12 consecutive profitable Super Bowls for Nevada sportsbooks also ended, and the state failed to set a record wagering handle on the game.
"It's just a stunner all the way around," MGM Mirage sportsbook director Robert Walker said.
The New York Giants upset New England 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII at Glendale, Ariz. The Giants closed as 12-point underdogs.
A total of $92.1 million was wagered on the game, and the state's 174 sportsbooks lost $2.6 million, according to figures released Tuesday by the Gaming Control Board.
It's only the second time in 18 years that Nevada sportsbooks lost on the Super Bowl.
There was speculation the game would draw a handle approaching $100 million. A Super Bowl-record $94.5 million was wagered in 2006.
Las Vegas Hilton sportsbook director Jay Kornegay said the amount bet at his book "easily surpassed last year's handle."
"That number is shocking to me," Kornegay said of the handle of $92,055,833. "With all the hype, I thought we would at least break the record and get $95 million to $97 million."
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