Each Monday, our “What’s On Tap,” series will preview the week ahead in the world of sports betting. Come here for a summary of upcoming financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, top games scheduled for the week, and much more. Also, check out our weekly review Get A Grip and Wide World of Gambling at US Bets for a look back at last week’s relevant news.
Monday, November 30
Seahawks-Eagles on Monday Night Football
For the first time in several weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves staring up at the leaders of the NFC East after wins by the Giants and the Washington Football Team earlier in Week 12. While Carson Wentz is expected to start, there are whispers that rookie Jalen Hurts could receive extended action on Monday night. The Seahawks’ pass defense surrenders 343.7 yards per game, the worst in the NFL. Still, the Seahawks can regain first place in the NFC West after the Rams’ upset loss to the 49ers on Sunday. Seattle has held steady as 6.5-point favorites throughout the week.
Tuesday, December 1
AFC North rivals set to clash; Jackson on COVID-19 reserve list
The absence of Lamar Jackson and several other teammates has created sharp line movements for Tuesday’s contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers (10-0) opened as 4-point favorites before a rash of positive tests delayed the Thanksgiving Night matchup. The line jumped an additional six points to Steelers -10 after reports surfaced that Jackson tested positive for COVID-19. Nearly two dozen Ravens’ players have been placed on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list this week. Besides Jackson, running backs Mark Ingram II and J.K. Dobbins, tight end Mark Andrews, offensive guard D.J. Fluker, and defensive end Calais Campbell also appeared on the list. Robert Griffin III, Jackson’s backup, has appeared in only 17 games since the start of the 2017 season.
The 20 players added to Ravens' Reserve/COVID-19 list this week …
7: Pro Bowl players from last season
9: Season-opening starters
78: Starts made this season
4,735: Snaps played this season— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) November 29, 2020
Betting On Sports America: Day 1
Betting On Sports America (BOSA), one of the nation’s largest sports gambling conferences, kicks off on Tuesday with a keynote conversation featuring William Hill US CEO Joe Asher. The discussion marks one of Asher’s first public appearances since William Hill shareholders approved a $3.7 billion proposed takeover offer from Caesars Entertainment on Nov. 17. Hours later, a contingent of leading CEOs will convene on a panel that will address high-level industry matters such as mobile betting technological innovation and burdensome tax rates. The panel features FOX Bet CEO Kip Levin, BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt, and Rush Street Interactive CEO Greg Carlin among others. Also on Tuesday, New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. and New York Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow will appear on a panel focused on ongoing controversies related to mobile sports betting in the Empire State.
Wednesday, December 2
Betting On Sports America: Day 2
The second day of the two-day begins with a keynote discussion with MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle. In July, Hornbuckle was named permanent CEO months after the resignation of Jim Murren, his predecessor. There are also panels on artificial intelligence in sports betting, developments in Canadian sports gambling legislation and one on Know Your Customer (KYC) and mobile sports betting compliance protocols at Wednesday’s digital conference. The conference wraps up with sessions on tribal gaming and the impact of legalized sports betting on college athletics on Wednesday afternoon.
Saturday, December 5
Key matchups in the SEC, Big Ten
While top-ranked Alabama moves closer to securing a spot in the College Football Playoff, two others, Florida and Texas A&M, look to bolster the SEC’s chances of landing a second team in the four-team playoff. No. 6 Florida needs one win in its final two regular-season games to clinch the SEC East title. The Gators opened as 17-point consensus favorites on Saturday at Tennessee. No. 5 Texas A&M has a rockier path to the national title game. The Aggies likely need to run the table, plus get at least one loss from No. 3 Ohio State or No. 4 Clemson in the coming weeks to land a coveted spot. The Aggies could also leapfrog No. 2 Notre Dame if the Irish lose two of their last three games. Texas A&M opened on Sunday as 4-point favorites at No. 22 Auburn. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, could return to action following the cancellation of last week’s game against Illinois. Ohio State coach Ryan Day was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week. If the Big Ten clears Ohio State to play Michigan State on Saturday, the Buckeyes will likely be without Day on the sidelines.
Ohio State does not yet know if it will play Saturday at Michigan State. If it does, the Buckeyes will be big favorites. https://t.co/mpIqyeRnNT
— Nathan Baird (@nwbaird) November 29, 2020
Spence to defend WBC, IBF welterweight titles against Garcia
Erroll Spence Jr. returns to the ring for the first time since suffering a serious one-vehicle accident in October 2019. Spence allegedly flipped a Ferrari 488 Spider and was ejected from the vehicle after traveling at a high rate of speed, according to Dallas police. Weeks earlier, Spence had defeated Shawn Porter in a 12-round split decision to win the WBC welterweight title and retain the IBF title in the division. On Saturday, Spence will defend both titles in a 12-round fight against Danny Garcia in Arlington, Tex. At FOX Bet, Spence (26-0, 21 KOs) is a heavy -300 favorite over Garcia (+225), a former two-division champion. There are odds of +2200 on a draw.
