Guide to prop bets and how they can be risky for the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is just a few weeks away, and sportsbooks are gearing up for the big game. The final game of the NFL season is one of the most bet-on events in the calendar year, and an increasingly popular method of betting on the Super Bowl is prop bets. These can range from betting how a team will do, how a player will perform or other specialty props like the coin toss and the length of the national anthem. However, prop bets can also be dangerous and lead to Problem Gambling behaviors if not done responsibly. 

What are Prop Bets? 

History of Prop Betting

A proposition bet, or “prop bet” for short, is a very common type of sports gambling. Yet, the prop bet is a relatively new concept. It is said that the first prop bet was created at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1986 by Art Manderis (per Forbes). Manderis was the director of the sportsbook at the time, and he created a new bet ahead of Super Bowl XX. He offered 20-1 odds for William “The Refrigerator” Perry to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. 

Perry was a very well-known defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, but the bet backfired for Manderis and Caesars when Perry rushed for a 1-yard touchdown. Since then, prop bets have drastically grown in popularity as sports betting has become legalized across the majority of the country. 

What are the different kinds of prop bets available?

Although prop bets originated in football, they have expanded into almost every sport. Prop bets are available in soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, golf, boxing, and more. And while some prop bets are similar for certain sports, a lot of prop bets are sport-specific. 

For example, baseball offers prop bets that include how many strikeouts a pitcher will have in a game or if a batter will hit a home run. And in basketball prop bets include how many assists, rebounds or points a player will record. 

Prop Bets on the Super Bowl

Where can I place prop bets on the Super Bowl? Are they legal?

There are 38 states, plus Washington D.C., that have legalized sports gambling in some capacity. That includes some states that offer only in-person sports betting options. Of the 38 states, only 29 offer online sports betting, meaning the ability to bet from your cell phone or computer. Wagering on prop bets is legal as long as you go through a regulated online sportsbook or go to an in-person sportsbook that your state has approved for operation. 

Here are the 38 states, plus Washington D.C., that have legalized sports betting in some form:

Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming.

Why are prop bets more popular for the Super Bowl?

There are plenty of different types of prop bets for the Super Bowl, and that tends to be why many bettors prefer placing prop bets. Sportsbooks usually offer hundreds of prop bets ranging from team props to player props to Super Bowl-specific props. Since there are hundreds of options, people can get sucked into placing more prop bets than they originally planned, which can be dangerous and potentially result in large losses.

What special prop bets are offered for the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl is the biggest game of the NFL season, and sportsbooks take advantage of the big game to offer exclusive prop bets. Besides team props or player props, sportsbooks offer Super Bowl-specific prop bets like the result of the coin toss, the time it takes for the singer to perform the National Anthem, and the color of the Gatorade poured on the winning coach. 

Dangers and risks of prop bets on the Super Bowl

Why are prop bets on the Super Bowl potentially dangerous?

Super Bowl prop bets can be a dangerous path for sports bettors. For starters, there are a lot of prop bets offered in the Super Bowl. In 2023, Caesars Sportsbook had over 2,000 prop bets available for the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles (per USA Today). That is a drastic increase from the hundred or so prop bets offered for an NFL regular season game.

While it may seem nice for sportsbooks to offer thousands of prop bets on the Super Bowl, the additional variety presents a potential danger. Sportsbooks are hoping that the more prop bets offered in the Super Bowl, the more prop bets a user will place. Plus, with Super Bowl-specific prop bets like the coin toss or National Anthem, little to no research is required. Plus, casual fans who normally wouldn’t bet on an NFL game may wager money on a seemingly simple prop bet.

Therefore, prop bets can potentially act as a gateway to a sports gambling problem. To avoid going down that path and falling into addiction, take the time to learn about sports betting addiction and how to avoid it at Birches Health. Birches Health offers educational resources about responsible gaming, plus problem-gambling specialists that are available for a free assessment as well.

What resources are available for people with Gambling Addiction? 

If you, a friend or a loved one may be dealing with sports gambling addiction, Birches Health is there to help. Birches Heath offers effective and private treatment for those who struggle with behavioral addictions. For easy, quick access to specialists with years of experience, Birches Health offers telehealth appointments that work for your schedule, so you don’t need to leave the comfort of your home.

The convenient online care separates Birches Health from other sports gambling addiction companies. If you believe you or someone else could benefit from Birches Health, please call (833) 483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com. 

Resources:

How Prop Bets Can Make (Or Break) Super Bowl Sunday - Forbes

Super Bowl prop betting increasing in popularity - USA Today