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Punter's absurd $800,000 loss on NFL upset

One NFL fan’s dream of a happy Christmas has turned into a nightmare.

The Seattle Seahawks have been automatic in recent years against the San Francisco 49ers, winning 10-straight games.

But that changed on Monday when the 49ers upset the Seahawks 26-23 in overtime.

While it was celebrated by 49ers fans, it wasn’t by one punter who put down a total of US$569,000 (AU$791,000) on two money-line bets that had the Seahawks winning.

While the punter likely thought that money was an automatic gift, they surely regretted it.

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Nick Mullens (4) looks to pass during their game between the Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Nick Mullens (4) looks to pass during their game between the Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

From David Purdum’s weekly Notable Bets column for ESPN:

“According to MGM sportsbook supervisor Scott Shelton, the first bet was for US$235,000 at -230 odds. The book bumped up the price to -250 and then took another US$334,000 on the Seahawks from the bettor.”

Purdum reported that the 49ers’ upset was “the largest win of the season on a single game for MGM.”

It was a tough gambling weekend for bookmakers new to the business on the other side of the country.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers each pulled upsets on the first Sunday with legal sportsbooks in the Pennsylvania cities.

ESPN reported that 91 percent of moneyline bets at Sugarhouse Casino in Philly were on the Eagles and 83 percent at the Rivers Casino in the ‘Burgh were on the Steelers.

Cassandra Negley – Yahoo Sports