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Virus may reduce total Super Bowl bets, but online to surge

Sports Betting-Super Bowl
Posted at 12:38 PM, Feb 02, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-02 15:38:49-05

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Here's one more thing the coronavirus pandemic has ruined for at least some people: betting on the Super Bowl.

The American Gaming Association predicts the number of people planning to make a bet on the big game will decrease this year.

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That's because many people still haven't returned to work settings, where office pools are filled out, and because fewer plan to bet at in-person sports books including casinos and horse tracks.

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But Tuesday's report also predicts the rapid growth of legal sports betting in the U.S. should easily smash records in terms of the amount wagered online on the Super Bowl.