This week’s Super Bowl betting hype isn’t limited to the mainland United States. To the surprise of many, Puerto Ricans seem to love the NFL as much as American fans. So much so that the island is authorizing a one-weekend-only sports betting extravaganza in honor of the big day.
Details For The Weekend’s Event
Now through Sunday, bettors in the San Juan region can head over to the Casino del Mar at La Concha Resort to set their wagers. Betting will be conducted in person via BetMGM’s gaming software.
“We are very excited to kick off sports betting at Casino del Mar through this important strategic alliance with BetMGM. In Puerto Rico, there is a wide base of sports fans who will now add the possibility of becoming winners to the excitement of their favorite sports games and matches.”
Casino del Mar General Manager, Sigfrido de Jesús
The beachside location will host its sports betting operations across 12 kiosks and 5 betting windows. However, retail restrictions won’t last long as PR’s sports betting laws allow for up to 10 in-person and mobile sportsbook operators.
Local Betting Laws in PR
Puerto Rico’s sports betting legislation was initially passed in 2019 as one last grand act by then-Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced. However, the bill passed without a regulatory framework by which to abide.
Things remained quiet on the island until November of 2021 when the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission (PRGC) opened its sportsbook applications to prospective operators.
BetMGM and La Concha are the first team of approved licensees on the island and will be the only group hosting operations this weekend.
Sportsbook analysts predict that U.S. Super Bowl betting revenues will surpass $8 billion, breaking every record out there.
Puerto Rico stands a chance at collecting more in tax revenue from a single weekend of sports betting than was collected over the past year from all gambling enterprises put together.
Prime Time For Legal Betting in PR
Given that Sunday could produce a historic win for either team, expectations are high for a successful sportsbook debut. I mean, check out these tight lines!
Odds For Super Bowl LVI – 02/13
- Point Spread: Los Angeles Rams -4.0 Cincinnati Bengals +4.0
- Money Line: Los Angeles Rams -195, Cincinnati Bengals +165
- Total Points: 48.5
All in all, Puerto Rico’s gaming industry is growing at an exponential rate. With three new casinos coming to the island and a COVID-19 rebound unseen anywhere else, the coming years will be especially fruitful for Puerto Rico.
This weekend’s NFL betting event will come and go in the blink of an eye. And while we don’t know exactly when mobile betting will officially launch, we know it’s soon.
Until then, bettors in Puerto Rico can still access legal offshore sportsbooks from anywhere on the island. Head over to our sportsbook reviews tab to find out which book works best for you!
Source: FOX 5 Vegas
