Gamblers bet an more than $1 million alone on the duration of Gladys Knight's stirring rendition of the national anthem at Super Bowl LIII on Sunday, gambling guru RJ Bell told CBS News on Monday.
Some time-keepers clocked her "Star-Spangled Banner" at 1:49, when she hit the first "brave" end note. But in reality, the song lasted closer to two minutes because Knight elaborated on another long "brave" end note. For many viewers, it was unclear if the performance ended after the first "brave" or second "brave," sparking controversy and anger among some gamblers.
Numerous sports betting outfits set the "over/under" line at 1:50, meaning if the tune officially ended after the first "brave," then under would have been paid out, CBS reported. But if it ended when she stopped singing, "over" would have been the winner. Betting site Bovada confirmed its eventual official time at 1:49, paying both over and under the betting line. Other sports books clarified in advance that they would stop the clock at the end of the first "brave," leaving no room for debate.
SBNation reported there was so much controversy surrounding exactly how long the song officially lasted – and when it ended – that sports book BetOnline.ag paid out bettors on both sides of the line. Betting site Bovada confirmed its eventual official time at 1:49, also paying both over and under the betting line.
The American Gaming Association estimated that one in six Americans bet on the Super Bowl game between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams, for an estimated total of more than $6 billion in wagers.
In pre-game interviews in weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, Knight did not address any gambling odds. Knight, 74, led the chart-topping soul group Gladys Knight & the Pips from 1961 to 1989. Atlanta, which hosted this year's Super Bowl, is her home town.
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