Las Vegas Sportsbooks Prepare for Big Money Weekend

LAS VEGAS - Las Vegas sports books are counting down to Super Bowl Sunday. The big game means big business for Las Vegas, and casinos expect to cash in on this weekend's game. The game pits the AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts against the NFC Champion New Orleans Saints.

Bettors are already flooding the Las Vegas Hilton Race and Sports Book and looking to get some action on the game. "I figured if you can't be there live, this is the next best place," said bettor and Arizona visitor Monte Hoopes. "I'm a Peyton Manning fan, so I'm rooting for the Colts." Arizona visitor Greg Impellitier is counting on the New Orleans Saints to pull off a victory. "(The) Saints are going to come marching in," he said. "There is only going to be one team that's going to win the Super Bowl, and my pick is the New Orleans Saints."

The Colts are favored by five and a half points, but many gamblers are betting with their hearts and rooting for the underdog Saints. "There's a lot of support for the Saints in this game, so we're thinking it's going to be about 50-50 this year, which is a good thing for all the bookmakers," said Hilton Race and Sports Book Vice President Jay Kornegay. Nevada sports books predict about $86 million in bets this Super Bowl weekend. That is up from $81 million last year.

Things are also looking good outside the sports books. 278 thousand visitors are coming to Las Vegas for the big game. That is 33 thousand more than last year. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority credits an improving economy and new attractions such as CityCenter. "Honestly, it's a whole different skyline compared to last year at Super Bowl time, and we're starting to see a few positive signs in the economy. We're starting to see people wanting to get out a little bit more," said LVCVA Public Relations Manager Jeremy Handel.

Super Bowl weekend is expected to generate nearly $90 million in non-gaming revenue.

Source:  Channel 8 Las Vegas