"With the Patriots, we have not been able to get an accurate line," said Bob Scucci, race and sportsbook manager for Boyd Gaming, which operates eight casinos in Las Vegas. "No matter how high we set the line, people are still betting on the Patriots, and the Patriots are still covering."
Oddsmakers said setting the line on Patriots games is especially hard because the team has continued to score even after the game is in hand. Historically, teams rarely cover a large point spread by more than a touchdown because they run out the clock once they secure a comfortable lead.
"From a bookmaker's perspective, it's been depressing," said Robert Walker, race and sports director at the Mirage casino. "I can't ever remember it being so costly to us."
Casinos said betting on the Patriots has increased in the last few weeks, even as point spreads have grown larger. Out of every 10 bets, nine are on the Patriots.