MGCB Executive Director Williams and Attorney General Nessel Remind Michiganders to Bet Responsibly Ahead of Super Bowl

In perhaps one of the most disappointing “bottlejobs” seen this year, the Detroit Lions lost 31-34 to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Conference Championship. This loss saw the Lions miss out narrowly on the Super Bowl and set up a meeting between the 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.  

For the first time in history, the Super Bowl will be played in the gambling capital of the US, Las Vegas. So, there’s enormous expectations that betting activity will reach all-time highs, and Michigan is set to play an important part in this historic event.  

Ahead of the showdown and anticipated gambling surge, Michigan officials are calling on citizens to bet responsibly.

For years now, traffic on popular sportsbooks has always surged across the US on Super Bowl weekend. But this year, it appears things are a little bit more intense. According to a report by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming (EKG), the estimated betting handle from Super Bowl bets will cross $1.25 billion on Sunday.

Although most of the bets are pre-match wagers, the figure is still quite mind-blowing. Besides, according to the report, live bets on Sunday will account for 10-15% of the total handle from Super Bowl Sunday. For context, this estimated betting handle accounts for 1.2% of the total wagers accepted across the US in 2023.

The EKG report suggests that Las Vegas punters will account for the most bets, with about 12.8% of wagers coming from Sin City. New York is projected to have the second highest number of bettors.

On the other hand, the American Gaming Association further estimates that more than 67 million adult Americans will bet on the biggest NFL game of the year. As a result, the total betting handle from the event may soar to a whopping $23 billion.

In a completely different report from BetMGM, though, BetMGM has placed far more Super Bowl Bets than any other jurisdiction in the US. So, like it or not, Michiganders are key to where the betting pendulum swings this Super Bowl, even with the Detroit Lions out of the showdown.

Knowing how much Michigan can potentially contribute, the MGCB Executive Director and the state’s Attorney General have cautioned gamblers against straying from licensed Michigan online sportsbooks.

“The Super Bowl is the biggest game of the year for the players, the fans, the betting platforms and, sadly too, for the bad actors looking to rip off gambling Michiganders,” said AG Nessel in a press release.

The AG further released a video where she warned about scams and cybersecurity risks that may arise from online betting during the Super Bowl. In her video, she revealed that a third-party vendor attack may have affected DraftKings, BetMGM and FanDuel sites. She then revealed six steps for players to stay safe and take precautions.

• Stay alert and monitor your financial accounts and credit reports.
• Secure your accounts and change all exposed passwords.
• Set up a two-step authentication for each account where the feature is available.
• Freeze your credit if your information was included in a breach.
• Delete any account you are not using to prevent third-party log-ins.
• Gambling should be entertainment. Don’t gamble more than you can afford.

MGCB Executive Director also had this to say to gamblers:

“The Super Bowl is a global phenomenon that brings together millions of viewers, football enthusiasts, and bettors alike. While enjoying this thrilling sporting event, it is essential to prioritize responsible betting to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.”

They both recommended using the Michigan primary problem gambling helpline if you need help. Recently, the state changed the helpline to 1-800-GAMBLER. We’ll be sure to provide more details about the new line in due time.

Away from gambling advice, here are some important details that can help you make the most of Super Bowl LVIII.

The match between the Chiefs and 49ers will be played on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kickoff is by 3:30 pm PST (6:30 pm in Detroit) while R&B sensation Usher is set to be the halftime show performer. There are multiple ticket packages on offer at On Location, the official ticket partner for the Super Bowl.

You can place pre-match bets on any of the licensed NFL betting sites in Michigan up until kickoff. There are other options to wager on prop bets or live bets while the game is in play.