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As with each Super Bowl, we expect it to be the biggest in terms of overall traffic (Gambling911.com) and amount of bets placed (the online sportsbooks and Las Vegas). Most of the news we get on betting action, volume and results comes by way of Vegas since the online bookies don't want their information getting out following a series of post-2006 arrests with evidence based on published financials (i.e. BetonSports).
A Las Vegas bookmaker made the Indianapolis Colts an early four-point favorite to beat the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 Super Bowl and the bookies (both in Vegas and online) pushed the line up to -5 ½. Sportsbetting.com and a few others moved the line up to Colts -6.
Sean Van Patten of Las Vegas Sports Consultants told the AP that the Colts' experience on the NFL's biggest stage (they won Super Bowl XLI three years ago) helped them take the edge.
"The big factor here is that Indy has been there," Van Patten told the AP. "The experience factor is such a huge thing when it comes to the Super Bowl."
The total in this game, with a number that has remained steady for the most part, is 56 ½. That is actually the highest total ever posted.
"In the Super Bowl, most people don't mind if the defense doesn't show up as much," Jay Rood, director of the MGM Mirage's Race and Sports Book in Las Vegas, said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg News Friday. "For the most part they like to see a track meet back and forth. This one could deliver."
John Avello, the race and sports book director at the Wynn Las Vegas, said he can envision several scenarios that would keep this year's game from being a high-scoring contest.
"For the most part I'd believe that the weather will cooperate, but there's always the chance it won't," said Avello, noting that both clubs played their first two playoff games in domed stadiums. "Second, the Colts' defense is a lot better than people anticipate and the Saints' defense showed they can get to the quarterback. This game may not be quite the shootout that's anticipated."
"This is clearly the highest total for a Super Bowl we've ever had," said Jay Kornegay, executive director of the Hilton Race and Sports Book. "People like to bet on offense and it's shaping up to be an offensive game."
Despite the high number, nearly 75 percent of those betting the total were still backing the OVER heading into Saturday, just over a week before the 2010 Super Bowl is set to play.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
