Nevada sportsbooks won more money in November than in any other month in the state's 50-plus-year sports betting history.
The state's sportsbooks won a net $61.8 million in November, besting the previous mark of $56.4 million set in September 2018, according to numbers released Tuesday by Nevada Gaming Control.
Football was the catalyst of the record November, which featured five weekends. The sportsbooks won a net $56 million off the $502 million in bets that were placed on NFL and college football. The amount won and wagered are records for football in a month.
NFL underdogs went 42-28 against the spread in November, contributing to the tough luck for the betting public, which typically backs favorites.
"The win was all about pro football results," said Jay Kornegay, vice president of race and sports for the SuperBook at Westgate Las Vegas. "I'd say 90 percent of the largest NFL decisions went our way in November, including some that were among our biggest wins ever."
Kornegay said two games stood out in November for his sportsbook.
"Everyone bet Tampa, and that really capped one of the biggest Sundays we've ever had," Kornegay said of the New Orleans Saints' 38-3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 8.
The New England Patriots' 23-17 upset of the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 15 also produced a significant win for the SuperBook, Kornegay said.
Overall, $609.6 million was bet with Nevada sportsbooks, a 0.8% decrease from the amount wagered in November last year. There was no NBA or NHL this November.
Nevada casinos are operating at reduced capacity because of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the amount casinos won on sports in November topped the amount won on blackjack ($58.1 million) in a month for the first time, according to Nevada Gaming Control.
