Books’ hold drops to 3.3 percent

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002 | 9:35 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's sports books won $2.3 million on Super Bowl bets, the lowest amount since 1998.

The State Gaming Control Board reported Tuesday that $71.5 million was wagered, up $3.9 million from last year. But the "hold" or winnings was 3.3 percent.

That was the fourth lowest "hold" in the last ten years.

New England upset St. Louis 20-17 this year. St. Louis was a 14-point favorite.

Last year the books won $11 million or a hold of 16.3 percent for the best year since 1993 when records started being kept.

Nevada's betting may be peanuts compared to New York City. The New York Times reported Monday that police in that city believe $4 billion was bet on the Super Bowl.

Thirteen people were arrested and more than $250,000 in cash and betting slips were seized from bookies in New York and in Connecticut during a series of pre-Super Bowl raids.

The $71.5 million wagered in Nevada this year is below the record $77.2 million bet in 1998. But that year the books won only $472,033 for a 0.6 percent hold. That year Denver beat Green Bay 31-24.

The board said 1995 was the only year the books lost money. It said $69.5 million was wagered but the books lost $396,674 when San Francisco defeated San Diego 49-26.