PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island will make money on the Super Bowl, unlike last year when football fans flocked to the state’s two casinos and overwhelmingly bet on the victorious New England Patriots.
Football fans legally bet $5.5 million on the Super Bowl this year in Rhode Island, the state Department of Revenue said Monday. Gamblers won $4.7 million when the Kansas City Chiefs rallied to beat the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20 ,leaving about $805,000 in revenue.
The state, which gets 51% of sports betting profits, expects to clear at least $400,000 as bets are finalized.
About 60,000 bets were placed on the game, including 75 bets of over $5,000, the revenue department said. The largest winner is getting $133,000 on a $70,000 Chiefs bet.
Last year, football fans legally bet almost $6.5 million on the Super Bowl in Rhode Island. When the Patriots won, and covered the spread too, the state’s sportsbooks lost $2.35 million.
Rhode Island, at that time, was the only New England state that allowed sports betting, making it a focal point for Patriots fans. New Hampshire now offers sports betting online and on mobile devices.
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