Man bets $1.1 MILLION on the Atlanta Falcons plus three points in the Super Bowl as Las Vegas sports books say betting may top last year's $132.5m record

  • Bettor put $1.1m on the Atlanta Falcons plus three points in the 51st Super Bowl
  • He was a customer of CG Technology, which operates a string of sports books in Las Vegas
  • Sports books said betting was strong leading up to game and that betting may top record $132.5m from last year
  • New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons will face off in 51st Super Bowl in Houston

A bettor using his phone app put $1.1m on the Atlanta Falcons plus three points in the Super Bowl, part of an influx of money that could make Sunday a record day in Las Vegas sports books.

The New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons will face off in the 51st Super Bowl Sunday night. It will be held at the NRG Stadium in Houston.

Sports books around Las Vegas said betting was strong leading up to the game, with a good chance the action will top the record $132.5m wagered on last year's game between Denver and Carolina.

A better put $1.1m on the Atlanta Falcons plus three points in the Super Bowl. Sunday could be a record day in Las Vegas sports books. Pictured left: Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, California

The New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons will face off in the 51st Superbowl Sunday night. It will be held at the NRG Stadium in Houston. Pictured: Cam Newton, center, speaking with Peyton Manning, right. Newton played for the Panthers while Manning played for the Broncos in last year's Super Bowl

'I wouldn't bet against it,' said Jay Kornegay, who runs the sports book at the Westgate Las Vegas. 'It will be close, but I think we could easily set another record.'

The unidentified bettor who wagered the $1.1m was a customer of CG Technology, which operates a string of sports books in the city.

The bettor will get $2.1m back if the Falcons win the game or lose by one or two points.

'For a Super Bowl a bet of that size is not all that unusual,' said Jason Simbal, vice president of risk for CG Technology. 

'Historically we'll generally take a bet of $500,000 and up on the Super Bowl.'

Simbal said the line at his company's books did not move on the big bet, largely because of a number of smaller bets made on the New England Patriots. 

Sports books around Las Vegas said betting was strong leading up to the game, with a good chance the action will top the record $132.5m wagered on last year's game between Denver and Carolina

The unidentified bettor who wagered the $1.1 million was a customer of CG Technology, which operates a string of sports books in Las Vegas

He and other bookmakers said there was such strong action on both teams that the line hasn't moved off 3 points since it was first set nearly two weeks ago.

'We're pretty balanced, with 53 percent of the money on the Falcons,' Simbal said. 'It seems like everybody else is in a similar position, too.'

At the Westgate, Kornegay said the betting line was 80 deep Saturday afternoon as bettors who had been studying the line for the last 12 days began putting money on their favorite. 

Kornegay said bookies were getting such good two-way action that there is almost no risk of losing money on the biggest bet game of the year.

'It's a very comfortable booking game for us,' Kornegay said. 'We pretty much know what we need to do and it's very easy to position yourself there with not much effort.'

Grammy Award winner Lady Gaga will headline the halftime show at this year's Superbowl in Houston

The situation was similar at the South Point hotel-casino, where veteran oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro was enjoying a relatively relaxing day.

'This is a bookmaker's delight,' Vaccaro said. 'We haven't had to move one number, one side, one total or the money line.'

Nevada sports books made $13.3m on last year's game, which drew a record handle. That was in line with the 10 percent books charge bettors as the vigorish, or 'vig' as it's known in the industry.

Bettors can wager on hundreds of so-called props, or proposition bets at most books that include everything from who will win the coin flip to whether the game will go to overtime. 

The props have taken on a life of their own in recent years, with books trying to outdo each other with new offerings.

At the William Hill string of books, one bettor wagered $500 that the Patriots would score exactly 46 points. The odds against it were 150-1, meaning the ticket would cash for $75,000 if it hit.

Another wager was $100 someone put on there being no touchdowns in the game at 500-1 odds, which would pay off $50,000.

Lady Gaga spoke at a press conference for the halftime show on February 2. Last year's performers were Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars

What Lady Gaga will perform at the 51st Super Bowl's halftime show remains unknown

Vaccaro, who has been running sports books in Las Vegas since the late 1970s, said he can't remember a Super Bowl where there was almost no movement on any of the lines.

'This is as good as it gets for us,' he said.

 Kick-off is at 6.30pm for the 51st Superbowl, which will be held in Houston. 

The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons will face off for the year's glory and the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named in memory of the winning coach of the first two Super Bowls. 

The New England Patriots have reached the Super Bowl nine times, more than any other franchise in history.

Victory on Sunday would give them five wins, putting them level with the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers in the all-time standings. 

The trinity of owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have enjoyed an unparalleled era of dominance since their first Super Bowl win in 2002.

While New England have enjoyed an era of success since 2002 with seven Super Bowl appearances, the Atlanta Falcons are still waiting for their first championship.

Sunday's finale is only the second time they have reached the Super Bowl, with their only other appearance coming in 1999, when they were beaten 34-19 by the Denver Broncos.

This year's pre-game national anthem will be performed by country music singer Luke Bryan while Grammy Award winner Lady Gaga will headline the halftime show.

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