Each week, our “What’s on Tap” series previews 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” for a look back at last week’s notable news.
Monday, November 7
Defending champ Kansas in action on opening day of college hoops season
More than a dozen Top 25 teams will be in action on Monday’s opening day of the college basketball season, including defending national champion Kansas. The No. 5 Jayhawks will face Omaha without coach Bill Self, who was suspended for four games by the university last week. No. 1 North Carolina, which fell to Kansas in the 2022 national title game, will face UNC Wilmington in Chapel Hill.
North Carolina (+900) is the co-favorite at BetMGM along with Gonzaga to win the 2023 national championship. The powerhouse programs are the only two in the market to receive single-digit odds. Next are Kentucky and Houston at +1000, followed by Arkansas and Kansas at +1400. Duke, another Final Four participant last season, has odds of +1600 in its first year since iconic coach Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement.
2022-23 men's college basketball odds preview: Kentucky, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Houston favored https://t.co/JkOKaVO1NS
— Bet.NOLA.com (@bet_nola) November 6, 2022
Tuesday, November 8
Sports betting referendums on the ballot in California
A contentious battle to approve legal sports betting in California will be decided by voters on Election Day. Two measures, Proposition 26 and Proposition 27, have received more than $550 million combined in campaign contributions — an amount that is on track to make them the most expensive ballot campaigns in state history. Proposition 27, a measure backed by commercial sportsbook operators, would allow for mobile sports wagering in California outside tribal lands. Proposition 26 would allow sports betting on tribal lands on a retail-only basis.
Inside the $400 million fight to control California sports betting
Both Prop 26 and Prop 27 headed toward defeat"Don’t stare into the sun, you look both ways before crossing the street, and you don’t f— with the California tribes.”https://t.co/A3u5eRMAps @washingtonpost
— Howard Stutz (@howardstutz) November 6, 2022
In an October poll conducted by SurveyUSA, 43% of respondents backed Proposition 26, a level that slightly topped support for the online initiative. On last week’s quarterly earnings call for DraftKings, CEO Jason Robins indicated that he is not optimistic that Prop 27 will pass.
The moment legal sports betting does eventually go live in California, the state will instantly become the largest market for sports wagering nationwide.
Disney quarterly earnings call
Sports betting will be on the minds of some investors when the Walt Disney Company reveals its 2022 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings results on Tuesday. The earnings call will mark the first since Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced in September that ESPN is looking to partner with a third-party sportsbook operator to license its sports betting brand. The call will also be the first since Bloomberg reported last month that DraftKings was nearing a deal on a comprehensive partnership with ESPN. Robins largely sidestepped questions on a potential deal last week.
Wednesday, November 9
U.S. reveals World Cup roster in New York
With the U.S. men’s national team set to reveal its 2022 World Cup 26-man roster on Wednesday, coach Gregg Berhalter noted that each roster decision involving an injured player will be made on a “case-by-case” basis. Berhalter has a series of difficult decisions ahead of Wednesday’s announcement in New York City.
Midfielder Luca de la Torre is out for several weeks with a hamstring injury, while fellow midfielder Weston McKinnie (quad) is expected to be sidelined until Nov. 14. Berhalter is not expected to leave one of the team’s star players off due to injury, but goalkeeping depth could take a hit if Matt Turner does not travel to Qatar for the World Cup. Turner, a goalkeeper for Arsenal, has missed the English Premier League club’s last three games.
Entering the mind of Gregg Berhalter to predict the final 26 players to represent #USMNT at the World Cup!@soccer_nerd_73 joins me to break it all down.
link: https://t.co/zdutfowKq5 pic.twitter.com/wtrS6yRJdM
— It's Called Soccer (@itscalldsoccer) November 6, 2022
The U.S. has odds of +600 at PointsBet to win Group B, the third choice behind England (-304) and Wales (+550). After missing the World Cup in 2018, the U.S. is returning to the world’s most popular sporting event for the first time in eight years. Bookmakers consider the U.S. a massive longshot to win its first ever World Cup, with PointsBet giving the team odds of 150/1 to capture the 32-team tournament.
Saturday, November 12
TCU takes undefeated record to Austin
Accustomed to pulling off second-half comebacks throughout the season, TCU rallied in the fourth quarter Saturday against Texas Tech in a 34-24 victory. With the win, the Horned Frogs moved to 9-0 for the first time since 2010. In Week 11, No. 4 TCU will travel to Austin to face No. 18 Texas in a prime-time showdown. The Longhorns opened as a 7-point favorite at Caesars Sportsbook; the total is 65.5 points.
Texas opens up as a touchdown favorite over TCU for next weekend. https://t.co/dRHkUhkSVY
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) November 7, 2022
Also on Saturday, No. 7 LSU will face Arkansas in Fayetteville in a critical SEC West meeting. LSU seized control of the division with a 32-31 upset over then-No. 6 Alabama in Week 10. LSU controls its own destiny in the race to win the SEC West. The Tigers are 3-point favorites at Caesars; the total is 62 points.
In other action, No. 15 North Carolina will take on Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. North Carolina, the ACC Coastal Division leader, has reeled off five straight wins. Still, Wake Forest is a 3.5-point home favorite against its in-state rival.
Sunday, November 13
Fading Packers host Cowboys at Lambeau
As has been the case in numerous Packers games this year, a matchup that looked like a potential playoff preview at the start of the season has lost its luster. Following a disappointing 15-9 loss to the Lions on Sunday, the reeling Packers will host the Cowboys in Week 10 at Lambeau Field. After both teams won their division last season, the matchup was circled as a possible NFC Championship preview when the NFL released this year’s schedule.
Instead, the Packers’ playoff chances continue to fade after Green Bay (3-6) lost its fifth straight game. The loss was also costly from an injury standpoint as three starters — Aaron Jones, Romeo Doubs, and Eric Stokes — left Sunday’s loss in walking boots. Green Bay also lost defensive lineman Rashan Gary with a season-ending knee injury. The Cowboys are 4.5-point favorites at FanDuel; the total is 43.5 points.
Key injuries and lineup changes heading into Week 10 of the NFL season:
- Bills quarterback Josh Allen appeared to injure his elbow on Buffalo’s final offensive drive Sunday in a loss to the Jets. Allen grabbed his elbow in pain after Jets defensive end Bryce Huff hit his arm. The Bills host the Vikings in Week 10 in a matchup of division leaders. Buffalo is a 7.5-point home favorite at SuperBook Sports; the total is 48.5 points.
- Trailing 35-0 at the half, the Panthers replaced P.J. Walker at quarterback with Baker Mayfield. In the second half of Sunday’s loss at Cincinnati, Mayfield threw two touchdowns. The Panthers take on the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. The Falcons are 2.5-point road favorites at Circa Sports; the total is 42.5.
- Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw in pregame warmups on Sunday night against the Chiefs, but he was ruled out with an ankle injury. In his absence, rookie Malik Willis completed only five of his 16 pass attempts in the overtime defeat. The Titans are 1-point consensus home favorites on Sunday against Denver.
