Sport wagers, bettor losses set record
By David Purdum, ESPN
Nevada sports bettors wagered more — and lost more — than ever in 2014.
The state’s 187 sportsbooks won $227.04 million off of the $3.90 billion wagered on sports in 2014. Both amounts are all-time records, according to Nevada Gaming Control.
Football, per usual, carried the load. The sportsbooks won $113.73 million on college and pro football in 2014, a giant 40.73 percent increase from 2013. Overall, $1.74 billion was bet on football in 2014, $12 million more than in 2013. Nevada Gaming Control does not track pro and college football separately, but sportsbook managers estimate the NFL accounts for around 55-60 percent of their annual football handle.