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, January 18
Baylor takes on Kansas in Top 10 showdown in Waco
Through 12 games, Baylor has arguably been the most impressive college basketball team in the nation not named Gonzaga. The No. 2 Bears stayed undefeated on Saturday with a 68-60 win over No. 15 Texas Tech. It marked the first time this season that the Bears did not defeat an opponent by double digits. As a result, Baylor’s scoring margin of 26.1 points per game is second in Division I behind Colgate. Over the last two decades, Baylor has not had much success against the perennial powers of the Big 12. The Bears are 3-14 all-time against the Jayhawks in Waco, with only two wins since 2013. Baylor opened as nine-point favorites on the Vegas consensus line. The total is 140.5.
Tuesday, January 19
Details of mobile sports betting plan expected in NYS Executive Budget
Less than two weeks after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo formally reversed his position on mobile sports betting, Cuomo is expected to release detailed plans on the state’s public-private partnership for online sports wagering in New York’s Fiscal Year 2022 Executive Budget proposal. Under legislation authorized by Cuomo, the New York State Gaming Commission would issue a request for proposals (RFP) to select one or more providers to offer mobile sports betting. Cuomo’s initial proposal appeared to grant exclusivity to a single provider to run mobile sports betting operations in New York. But then, last week, Cuomo’s office modified its position to potentially allow multiple operators gain entry into the market. The change was made amid industry concerns that a single operator could establish a monopoly for the online marketplace in New York. There is also a stipulation that a mobile operator must have a partnership with one of the existing licensed commercial casinos in New York in order to be licensed by the state. The four operators currently active in New York are Bet365, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers. The proposal is scheduled to be released no later than Tuesday.
While Cuomo shares details of his proposal this week, lawmakers will look to advance the ball on their own sports betting bills. A joint bill filed by Sen. Joseph Addabbo and Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow is scheduled for a hearings in the Senate and Assembly Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committees on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
NEW YORK:
In reversing his position on mobile sports betting, Cuomo emphasized that the Empire State could emerge as the nation's largest market.
(@MattRybaltowski) #slownewsdayhttps://t.co/X0wVQ00pQE
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) January 6, 2021
Sports betting legislation in Minnesota
When the Minnesota Senate reconvenes on Tuesday after the Martin Luther King Day holiday, the Senate could hear debate on a bill regarding the legalization of sports betting. Last week, Sen. Karla Bigham (D — District 54) hinted that she is planning to introduce legislation that could bring sports wagering to the North Star State. Bigham’s comments come after voters in neighboring South Dakota approved sports betting via the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot, and a bill laying out the infrastructure there has been filed. Voters legalized sports betting in Deadwood, possibly as early as this year.
I will soon be introducing legislation to legalize sports wagering here in Minnesota! Stay tuned! More to come! @PowerTripKFAN & @johnkriesel get ready!
— Sen. Karla Bigham (@karlabigham) January 14, 2021
Wednesday, January 20
Nets could roll out Big 3 for first time with return of Irving
The Brooklyn Nets emerged as the favorite to win the NBA’s Eastern Conference last week after completing the blockbuster acquisition of James Harden. In Harden’s debut with the Nets on Saturday, the All-Star guard recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds. Kevin Durant led the Nets with 42 in a 122-115 win over the Orlando Magic. Nets guard Kyrie Irving has missed several games since violating the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols earlier this month, including Saturday’s win over the Magic. While Irving is questionable for Monday’s game vs. the Milwaukee Bucks, it is more likely that he will return Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. At Fanduel, the odds on the Nets to win the NBA Championship dropped to +270 following the trade. The Nets opened at 13/1 when the lines were first posted in October.
Thursday, January 21
iGB webinar on 2021 U.S. political landscape for sports betting legislation
Less than 48 hours after the U.S. presidential inauguration, the webinar will delve into the political forces at play this year in dictating legislative developments regarding sports betting and iGaming. The webinar will look at what’s next for a bevy of states that passed sports gambling measures on Election Night. It will also focus on whether Congress will look to establish a federal framework for sports betting under the administration of President-elect Joe Biden. The webinar will be moderated by Brendan Bussmann, partner and director of government affairs at Global Market Advisors.
Sunday, January 24
Brady and Rodgers meet for the first time in the playoffs
When Tom Brady leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into Lambeau Field on Sunday, he will be making his 14th Conference Championship game appearance in his 21-year NFL career. Brady will also face Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the first time in the postseason. The two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks have combined for seven Super Bowl titles and five NFL Most Valuable Player awards. Although the Bucs defeated the Packers 38-10 in Week 6, Rodgers is 4-2 in playoff home games at Lambeau. Forecasts call for temperatures at kickoff in the 20s with the possibility of snow. Green Bay opened as 3.5-point favorites, the total is 52. In the nightcap, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the AFC Championship for the third consecutive year, following a 22-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. In Sunday’s AFC Championship, the Chiefs were installed as a 3-point favorite over the Buffalo Bills at FanDuel. The line will likely fluctuate throughout the week based on Patrick Mahomes’ availability. Mahomes left Sunday’s win in the third quarter with a concussion. While Chiefs coach Andy Reid appeared pleased with Mahomes’ progress after the game, the Pro Bowl quarterback will have to pass several concussion protocols this week before he is cleared to return.
With both matchups officially set for the AFC/NFC conference championships, @Frankie_Fantasy breaks down the opening odds for Buccaneers vs. Packers, as well as Bills vs. Chiefs.
Do oddsmakers believe Patrick Mahomes will play next week?https://t.co/YTgt3DASmy
— SI Gambling (@SIGambling) January 18, 2021
