Betting Public All in on Las Vegas Raiders, Biggest Super Bowl Liability For Sportsbooks

People are really loving the Las Vegas Raiders.

Las Vegas is the very center of the Sports Betting Universe, and normally you would think Las Vegas is all about supporting their squad. But for some Las Vegas Sportsbooks, they aren’t necessarily going to be rooting for the Silver and Black this season. Why you ask?  Well, it’s pretty simple, there is enough action on the Las Vegas Raiders, that for at least one Sportsbook, the Raiders have become the biggest liability. That means if the Raiders do by chance win the Super Bowl, sportsbooks will most likely lose some money. Overall the general public is backing the team, not just people placing bets in Las Vegas.

Via Ben Fawkes at VSIN:

“The public is betting the Raiders in every state we’re in,” Adam Pullen, assistant director of trading at William Hill, told VSiN.. “They’re getting widespread support, not just here in Vegas.

The Raiders had the second-most handle (7%) and tickets (7%) at Caesars sportsbooks to win the Super Bowl behind the Bills, and the second-most handle (14%) and tickets (14%) to win the AFC. They also had nearly half of all bets to win the AFC West at Caesars (46%).”

As a result of the heavy Raiders action across the country, they have become the biggest liability for the books:

“The Raiders are our biggest Super Bowl liability,” Station Casinos sportsbook director Chuck Esposito said. “Fans want them to do well here in Vegas, but from a business side we’re going to be rooting for them not to cover on a weekly basis.”

At the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook the Raiders also had the most tickets and liability to win the Super Bowl according to vice president of risk Ed Salmons. Bettors are also hammering the Raiders Over 8.5, as it has become one of the most popular season win total wagers as well. So clearly the addition of Davante Adams and new head coach Josh McDaniels are bringing all the bettors to the yard.

The key to the Raiders offense very well could be the tandem of Davante Adams and tight end Darren Waller, each of whom is capable of carrying a passing game by themselves, let alone as a two-headed monster.

You also have running back Josh Jacobs in the backfield, who at times looks like a pretty solid running back, and he should have a lot more opportunities if defenses are going to zero in on the Raiders passing attack.

All in all, plenty to be excited about over the Raiders, and the public is certainly taking notice.

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