Super Bowl LIX Brings Surprising Outcomes and Big Payouts for Bettors

When the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX, it presented an unexpected challenge for sportsbooks nationwide. As it turns out, sportsbooks suffered a great deal when many of the pre-game wagers that were placed in favor of the Eagles paid off, particularly in the closing seconds of the game.

The Eagles were the favorite before the game, according to major sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics. A 19% increase in total wagers over February 2024 was noted by FanDuel. Nearly $1.4 billion was gambled on the tournament, more than the $1.25 billion handled the previous year, according to the American Gaming Association (AGA).

“No single event unites sports fans like the Super Bowl, and that excitement extends to sports betting, with this year’s record legal handle reflecting its widespread appeal,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “This figure underscores the positive impact of the legal market, from protecting consumers to generating tax revenue that benefits communities across the country, while enhancing the game experience for all.”

With popular wagers like Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce being held without a catch and Eagles running back Saquon Barkley not impressing, it appeared as though bookies would have a successful game in the first half. According to Fanatics, Kelce’s over-receiving prop was a common choice in same-game parlays (SGPs), and many bettors had chosen it.

But everything changed rapidly. Both sides scored a combined 38 points in the second half, despite the under 48.5-point total being the favorite. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ late 50-yard touchdown pass sparked a wave of profitable prop bets, including ones for wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

Massive Payouts for Bettors

The final three minutes of an eight-leg SGP that had Mahomes throwing two or more touchdowns, Worthy recording a reception of thirty yards or more, and DeAndre Hopkins scoring was a noteworthy time, according to FanDuel. With odds of +76026, this parlay paid out more than $7,600. FanDuel received 16.6 million wagers for Super Bowl LIX, of which this was only one example.

In the final seconds, the over 48.5-point wager also paid off, as a touchdown to Hopkins raised the total from 46 to 52 points. Fans expressed a significant belief in a high-scoring game by pointing out that 74% of bets and 77% of the total handle were placed on the over.

Despite Barkley not claiming the MVP award, FanDuel reported that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was the second most popular pick for MVP. Meanwhile, Fanatics highlighted Hurts as the highest-wagered player by bet count. For sportsbooks, one bright spot was Barkley’s popularity in SGPs and anytime touchdown bets. DraftKings also saw significant wagers on players like Jalen Carter and AJ Brown for MVP, with some bettors cashing out on $85k and $198k payouts.

Fanatics reported that 53% of moneyline bets and 54% of total wagers were on the Eagles to win, while 56% of the handle had Philadelphia covering the spread. Interestingly, despite widespread confidence in the Eagles, only a few states favored Philadelphia on the moneyline, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The three bookmakers weren’t the only ones who had to deal with large payouts. Caesars had to pay out a $250k betting on Philadelphia, and BetMGM reported many $800k wagers on the Eagles to win.

Even though the Super Bowl’s surprise turns caused some serious losses for bookmakers, they also demonstrated the market’s increasing strength. With NFL futures already available for the 2024–2025 season, bookmakers are now focusing on active sports like the NBA, NHL, and MLB as the 2024–2025 NFL season comes to a close.