February might have been Super, but it was January that shined brightest at the WarHorse Lincoln Sportsbook.
The sportsbook brought in $383,572.79 in revenue in January. That blew away the February total of $141,676.99 that included the Super Bowl, the biggest game — the biggest day of wagering — of the calendar year.
That's not surprising, said Jason Johnston, WarHorse's sportsbook manager.
January — with three rounds of NFL playoffs, the New Year's Day bowl games, the college football playoffs and a full slate of men's and women's college basketball — had far more sports wagering opportunities.
"There were a lot of events in January — we were still in the NFL regular season," he said. "We had a lot of stuff going on."
In addition, NFL Conference Championship Sunday — the two games that would determine who played in the Super Bowl — turned out to be the second-biggest betting day of the year behind only the Super Bowl.
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"I think our players just kind of gravitated specifically toward those matchups and just really had an interest," Johnston said.
The oddsmakers did Nebraska's sportsbooks no favors in making the Kansas City Chiefs a slight underdog against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
"Since I've lived in Nebraska, I've noticed there's been a lot of support with the Chiefs," Johnston said. "... They could lose six games in a row and people would still bet on them the next week."
The Chiefs' 25-22 victory in overtime ensured the house lost on Super Bowl Sunday.
"We had too many bets on the Chiefs, but that's OK because I'm a Chiefs fan, too," said Lynne McNally, CEO of the Nebraska Horsemen, which oversees operation of the WarHorse casinos in Lincoln and Omaha.
The Chiefs were a popular bet nationally, too. BetMGM released data showing that 74% of the total handle for the game was on the Chiefs to win, as well as 63% of the bets placed.
"It was a bad Super Bowl for the sportsbook," BetMGM senior trader Tristan Davis said in a written statement. "Many bettors had the Chiefs winning and overs on popular player props."
WarHorse mitigated its losses with a number of prop bets that didn't come through, Johnston said.
That wasn't the case at Grand Island Casino & Resort, which posted a sportsbook loss of $65,102.96 in February — its second straight month in the red after losing $58,361.68 in January.
"The reason was that the Chiefs won," said Vince Fiala, Grand Island's general manager. "We couldn't have asked for a better game. It went into overtime. People knew it was going to be close and they took the Chiefs.
"That's why we lost money on it."
WarHorse Omaha's sportsbook posted revenue totaling $56,532.29 in February after posting gains of $85,025.49 in January.
Overall, the state's casinos brought in more than $8.6 million in combined gambling revenue in February, which was the second-best month ever, trailing only December. That generated nearly $1.73 million in gaming taxes for the month, also the second-best ever.
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Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
Lincoln Southwest's Charley Kort (center) dances with her team after winning the game against Lincoln East on Thursday, March 27, 2024, at Seacrest Activities Complex. Lincoln Southwest won 3-0.
Sens. George Dungan of Lincoln (from left), John Cavanaugh of Omaha, Wendy DeBoer of Bennington, and Lynne Walz of Fremont listen to testimony from Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha (not pictured) during a public hearing before the Legislature's Executive Board on Thursday. The hearing was to hear testimony on whether to send a resolution to censure Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings to the legislative floor.
Lincoln East's Kai Burkey picks up a fly ball against Creighton Prep, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Den Hartog Field.
Monty Stoakes, Open Harvest's meat and cheese coordinator, has put together a Cheese Madness 16-cheese bracket that will crown the store's top cheese.
Troy Dannen speaks to the media at a news conference where he is announced as the athletic director for the University of Nebraska on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Hawks Championship Center.
Park Middle School band director, T.J. McLaughlin (center) conducts the band during rehearsal for the 75th annual Lincoln Public Schools All-City Music Festival performance on Tuesday at Lincoln Northeast High School.
Easton Bailey, 4, counts how many eggs are in his basket during an Easter egg hunt on Monday, March 25, 2024, at the Copple Family YMCA.
From left, founder and director of Theatre Arts for Kids Leah Arlington, Aubree Lawrey, 16, Andy Brockmeier, 12, and Ellyson Stolcpart, 17, sing a song from The Little Mermaid on Monday, March 25, 2024.
Nebraska fan Seth Backhuss reacts to the score in the last three minutes of the second half during of an NCAA Tournament first-round game on Friday at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.
Nebraska's Josiah Allick (53) hugs head coach Fred Hoiberg at the end of the NCAA Tournament first-round loss to Texas A&M on Friday in Memphis, Tenn.
Nebraska's Keisei Tominaga (30) holds back tears as he holds a towel to his eyes in the final three minutes of the second half during of an NCAA Tournament first-round game on Friday, March 22, 2024, at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.
Nebraska's Keisei Tominaga signs the jersey of Brix Behrens, 10, after an open practice Thursday at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn. Nebraska, a No. 8 seed, will be looking for the program's first NCAA Tournament victory when the Huskers play No. 9 seed Texas A&M on Friday. The game is scheduled to start at 5:50 p.m. on TNT.
Nebraska's Case Sanderson is out by Omaha's Henry Zipay in second base, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Haymarket Park.
A trio of sandhill cranes match speeds as they take off along the Platte River on March 17, 2024, near Kearney.
Senators of the 2024 legislative body convene for a roll call vote on Tuesday at the Capitol.Â
Owner of Cause for Paws, Sue Sturgis, holds her rescue dachshund Inkadoo in her arms on Monday, March 18, 2024. Cause for Paws donates their proceeds to help pay veterinary bills and buy pet food for people in need. The Lincoln Thrift Crawl event encourages customers to visit eight different locally owned thrift stores, including Cause for Paws, from March 17th- March 23rd.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks during a news conference on Monday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska's Mckinley Malecha (00) high-fives her teammates during the lineup announcements before the game against Creighton on Saturday at Bowlin Stadium.
(From left) Kelly Harrington, Tami Westmoreland and Alana Casas-Castillo lead the 2024 Lincoln Women's March to the state Capitol on Saturday.
Rainbow Trout spew forth from a holding tank as Nebraska Game and Parks officials restock Holmes Lake with fish at Holmes Lake Park, on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Nebraska Game and Parks officials stocked Holmes Lake with approximately 4,000 Rainbow Trout. The bi-annual process is used to enhance fishing opportunities in areas that have a high amount of fishermen as well as maintain fish populations in bodies of water across the state.
Lincoln East's Kate Eggett does a handstand to throw-in the ball during the game against Lincoln Pius X on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Lincoln Pius X.
Easton Aldridge (left) of Denton, 6, plays a knight and "defends" his seat on a giant lawn chair next to his sister, Jess Aldridge, 11, at the Husker Lawn & Leisure Show on Friday at Sandhills Global Event Center. The show features various exhibitors showing items such as RVs, lawnmowers, plants and garden arts. Nebraska Extension Master Gardener volunteers are on-site to answer questions. The last day of the show is Sunday.
Wilber-Clatonia students (from left) Emmalyn Klaassen, 11, Aubrey Bridges, 11, and Jace Polite, 10, react as their robot is unable to complete a task during a practice run of the Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cook Pavilion on Friday. Around 600 students between the ages of 9-14 participated in the First LEGO League (FLL) Challenge on Friday.Â
Bradley Opperman holds a box of food to give out on March 15 at the Lincoln Food Bank.
Nebraska's Katelyn Caneda (66) attempts to tag out Northern Colorado's Alison Steinker (4) during the first inning of the game on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Haymarket Park.
Shane Walsh of Studio Trouvaille assembles wood and stained glass shadowboxes, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Union Bank Place.
A rain droplet strikes a puddle where a nearby street light is reflected in the water, in central Lincoln on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
The Killigans' Greg Butcher (from left), Brad Hoffman and Bob Okamoto rehearse on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Lincoln.
Restore a Muscle Car Owner Dave Hall poses for a portrait next to a 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am he purchased with a little over 3,000 miles on the odometer at his auto shop in Lincoln.
Aja, a Belgian Shepherd, leaps over a jump during a training exercise at Tierra Park. Aja participates in competition obedience training.
Millard North's Neal Mosser (13) crashes into the scorers table during the Class A boys state tournament championship game against Bellevue West on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Norris' Evan Greenfield (22) shoots a layup while defended by Omaha Skutt's Gideon Linderman (30) in the second half during the Class B boys state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Wahoo's Marcus Glock (0) swings the net after the Warriors defeated Auburn in the Class C-1 state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Johnson-Brock celebrates their win as Ainsworth's Trey Appelt (24) hugs his teammate Traegan McNally (5) after the Class D-1 boys state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Ashland-Greenwood's Dane Jacobsen (0) pulls his jersey over his head following the Bluejay's loss to Auburn in the Class C-1 boys state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 8, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Wahoo's Cody Hesser (5) tumbles over Omaha Concordia's Jackson Thrasher (11) as he attempts to block a shot in the first half during a Class C-1 boys state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 8, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Norris celebrates a 3-pointer during a Class B first-round boys state tournament game against Bennington on Thursday, March 7, 2024 Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Wahoo's Cody Hesser (left) goes up for a shot as he is fouled by Ogallala's Jayden Curtis (center) during a Class C-1 first-round boys state tournament game Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Dundy County Stratton's Lane Brown (from left), competes for a rebound with Ainsworth's Jacob Held and Logan Schroedl and DCS's Jackson Kerchal during a Class D-1 first-round boys state tournament game on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.Ainsworth's Dundy County Stratton's during a Class D-1 first-round boys state tournament game on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Wahoo's Dylan Simmons (11) is fouled by Ogallala's Jayden Curtis (5) in the first half during a Class C-1 first-round boys state tournament game on Wednesday, March 7, 2024 Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center
Omaha Concordia and Malcolm play the first half of a Class C-1 first-round boys state tournament basketball game on Wednesday, March 7, 2024 Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center
Lincoln Southeast's Kendall Hinton (44) and Lincoln Southeast's Deng Giet (33) celebrate a 3-pointer by Hinton during a Class A first-round boys state tournament game against Omaha Westside on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Midwest Diggers' Ashley and Nathan Schwenke pose for a portrait in front of an area in their store where customers can pan for actual gold and silver.
Northwest High School seniors Feryal Akpo-Idrissou (left) and Madeline Smith register to vote on Monday.
Nebraska's C.J. Wilcher (0) waits for the team lineups to be announced before the game against Rutgers on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Overton celebrates after defeating Wynot in the Class D-2 state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Overton coach Janessa Bergman (left) reacts with the Eagles' bench during the Class D-2 state championship game against Wynot on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Millard West's Taylor Hansen (21) and Kylee Paben (42) guard Bellevue West's Ahnica Russell Brown (0) as she attempts to score in the paint in the second half during the Class A girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Millard West players dogpile at center court after defeating Bellevue West to win the Class A girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Tyson McCall, 7, (right) is lifted up by his father Keenan as they cheer on Yutan in the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Yutan's Jade Lewis (4) celebrates during the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game against Crofton, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Crofton's Ellie Tramps drives the ball down court on a breakaway in the first half during the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Christian celebrates winning the Class C-1 state championship against Sidney on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Pender celebrates winning the Class D-1 girls state tournament championship game over Southern Valley, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Pender won 39-25.
Lincoln Southwest senior Trent Buda dresses up as Where's Waldo during a Class A girls state tournament semifinal game against Bellevue West on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Caitlin Olensky pitches against Wichita State, Friday, March 1, 2024, at Bowlin Stadium.
Beatrice's Anna Gleason hugs Kiley Hatcliff while Callie Schwisow and Kiera Busboom (from left) embrace as they console one another following a close loss to Elkhorn North in a Class B girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Yutan's Emilia Tederman (bottom left) competes for the ball with Bishop Neumann's Caitlin McGuigan (top left) and Adalin Bosak during a Class C-2 girls state tournament semifinal game, Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Devaney Sports Center.
Using an in camera double exposure Omaha Skutt players Peyton McCabe (10) and Kamryn Kasner (34) are framed by a cheerleaders pom pom as they block a shot by Gretna East's Karli Williams (5) in the first half during a Class B girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Sidney's Payton Schrotberger (3) leads the charge as she and her teammates Ryan Dillehay (21) and Karsyn Leeling (0) rush to celebrate with their team after their win over Grand Island Central Catholic in a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The Sidney bench and head coach Tyler Shaw (center) celebrate after Ryan Dillehay (not pictured) scored a go-ahead basket against Grand Island CC in the second half during a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Christian's Kenadee Ailes (30) swats away a layup attempt by Bridgeport's Tracey From (4) while her teammate Jessa Hueser (1) guards the lane in the first half during a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Beatrice's Kiley Hatcliff (21) and Addison Hatcliff (10) celebrate winning a Class B first-round girls state tournament game over Norris on Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln North Star's Sarah Gatwetch (right) celebrates with her teammates after placing their name on a bracket to advance to the semifinals following their win over Millard North in a Class A first-round girls state basketball tournament game Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The Omaha Central student section read their student newspaper while Millard West is introduced ahead of a Class A first-round girls state tournament game on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
An array of ciders from Saro Cider — Joy Harvest with Arbor Day Farm (from left), grapefruit, cranberry spice, and a non-alcoholic raspberry Bellini — is shown with a pesto parmesan flatbread.
Bishop Neumann junior Anthony Kavan (left) plays a card game with sophomore Dominic Benes as the basketball team palys Cross County during a Class C-2 first-round girls state tournament game, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at the Devaney Sports Center.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7391 or psangimino@journalstar.com
On Twitter @psangimino
Pat Sangimino
Business Reporter
