According to a Reuters report I saw, the Nevada Gaming Control Board said it was only the second time since 1992 when such records have been kept that the sports books went in the red over the Super Bowl. The other occasion was in 1995 (San Francisco-San Diego).
The killer bet for the sports books was the money line wagers on the Giants in which bettors were getting hefty odds for underdog New York to win outright.
The dream bet, though, was for anyone who took the Giants on what is known as a "futures" bet to win the Super Bowl. A futures bet is very simple. At just about any time before or during the season, you can put a wager down on your favorite team to win the Super Bowl.
If they win, you collect. It's that simple.
More than 12 months before the most recent Super Bowl was played, the Giants were 30-1 to climb the NFL's Mount Everest.
Actually, those odds went up just before the playoffs began to 35-1. In that case, a $50 bet on New York produced a $1,750 payoff when Eli Manning's knee touched down as the clock went to 0:00.
The odds for next year's Super Bowl have already been posted. In fact, they have been out for a couple of weeks.
The Giants are no longer long-shot underdogs. Before they beat the Patriots, they were 12-1 to win the game about 12 months from now. But after the victory parade, they've been bet down to 8-1.
Despite the Patriots falling short last weekend, they're still the huge favorites for the next big dance at 5-2. After New England, you have the usual suspects: Indianapolis, Dallas, San Diego, Green Bay and Jacksonville. And, of course, the Giants.
All of which brings us to the Ravens.
For some reason, they have been one of the most popular teams for next year's Super Bowl.
At the MGM Mirage sports books, the Ravens opened a few weeks ago at 125-1 to win the next Super Bowl, and by yesterday, they had been bet down to 60-1.
At the Las Vegas Hilton, the same thing happened. The Ravens opened at 100-1 and yesterday, they were down to 50-1. One sports book executive said the Ravens were the most-wagered-on team so far in the Super Bowl futures.
Who knows why.
Maybe, it's John Harbaugh coming here. Maybe, it's Brian Billick leaving.
Or maybe, some free spenders from Charm City were in town and just had a few too many margaritas.
bill.ordine@baltsun.com