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, December 5
Brazil seeks seventh straight World Cup quarterfinal
One half of the quarterfinals are set at the World Cup after four matches over the weekend. On Sunday, defending champion France became the tournament’s co-second favorite with Argentina after eliminating Poland 3-1 in the Round of 16. Argentina (+490) advanced to the quarterfinals on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat of Australia.
Brazil still remains the heavy favorite at FanDuel to win the tournament, with odds of +230. Brazil welcomes back star forward Neymar on Monday for a Round of 16 matchup against South Korea. Brazil has odds of -1100 at FanDuel to advance over the South Koreans, who are steep underdogs at +760. Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, has made the quarterfinals in six consecutive World Cups dating back to 1990.
Major mobile sportsbooks nationwide are bracing for a sharp dip in handle on the World Cup after the Netherlands eliminated the U.S. from the tournament on Saturday.
Neymar looks ready to return from injury for Brazil vs. South Korea https://t.co/frLF6YdDDr pic.twitter.com/imzVGF58QG
— New York Post (@nypost) December 4, 2022
Massachusetts Gaming Commission hearing on sports betting applications
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) holds a formal hearing on Monday to give the public an opportunity to comment on three Category 1 sports wagering applications.
At the hearing, the public will have the chance to discuss retail sports wagering proposals involving MGM-Springfield, Plainridge Park Casino, and Encore Boston Harbor. Last week, the MGC voted unanimously to accept a late Category 1 retail application from MGM-Springfield. All three properties are on track to be considered for a sports betting launch in late January. On the online side, the MGC received 12 digital applications by a Nov. 21 deadline.
Friday, December 9
Legislators from gaming states meet in Vegas
For the first time since the U.S. Supreme Court’s PASPA decision, one of the nation’s largest gaming conferences is headed to Las Vegas. Each year, the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) convenes to discuss pertinent legislative and regulatory issues across the gaming industry. The three-day conference will be held at Resorts World Las Vegas, the first casino in the nation to offer fully cashless payment solutions for every transaction.
The conference will begin with a keynote address on Friday from Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. A topical subject at the conference will center on consumer data protection in light of a major cyber breach at DraftKings that has impacted more than 1,000 customer accounts. A panel on Friday will address issues on cyberattacks, data breaches, and digital fraud. The panel will be headlined by Josh Chin, managing partner at Net Force, a member of the Cyber Task Force Security Industry Association.
Other key panels at the conference:
- Fighting Illegal Gambling: How a Legal, Regulated Industry Can Win?
- Legislative Roundtable: Prospects for iGaming in 2023
- Antitrust and Regulatory Divestment: How Will the Consolidations of the Future Move Forward?
- Cashless Systems: How Laws Are Evolving to Permit Cashless Transactions at Casinos and Lotteries
Saturday, December 10
France and England face off in epic World Cup quarterfinal
There have only been two matches between France and England in World Cup history, the last in 1982 when England defeated Les Bleus 2-0 on the way to raising the Julius Rimet trophy. The matchup between the two European powers on Saturday could arguably decide the 2022 World Cup. After all, both teams are ranked in the top four by most bookmakers to win the tournament in Qatar.
France, the defending World Cup champion, advanced on Sunday with a 3-1 victory over Poland. French striker Kylian Mbappe netted two goals, including his tournament-leading fifth score in the 91st minute. France has odds of -145 at BetMGM to defeat England (+110) in Saturday’s matchup.
Mbappe (-155) is the overwhelming favorite at BetRivers to win the Golden Boot award, given to the tournament’s top goal scorer. Argentina forward Lionel Messi is the next choice at +1100, followed by Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud of France at +1400 each.
Who's going home with the Golden Boot? 🏆
Kylian Mbappe – 5 Goals
Lionel Messi – 3 Goals
Bukayo Saka – 3 Goals
Cody Gakpo – 3 Goals
Marcus Rashford – 3 Goals pic.twitter.com/gsG4ps1jpK— B🇧🇷nele Pikwa (@BanzaRP) December 5, 2022
Tiger returns to The Match in pairing with Rory
When Tiger Woods competes in the seventh installation of The Match on Saturday, it will mark the first time he has participated in the made-for-TV event since 2020. He and Rory McIlroy will take on Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in a 12-hole showdown at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
The four golfers, who have each spent time ranked No. 1 in the world, own a combined 24 major victories. The Spieth-Thomas duo (-120) is a slight favorite over Woods and McIlroy, who have odds of +100 at DraftKings.
@ccmembersonly Tiger Woods reveals his son Charlie, 13, is already outdriving him on the course after the 15-time major winner told him to copy Rory McIlroy's swing, NOT his own https://t.co/OCTiz4J19k pic.twitter.com/inCCh9uc3X
— DeusXXMakina (@deusxxmakina) December 5, 2022
Williams remains clear Heisman frontrunner despite stinging USC loss
USC fell out of national title contention on Friday night with a deflating 47-23 loss to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game. USC quarterback Caleb Williams entered the game as the clear Heisman Trophy frontrunner, with odds as low as -7000 to win college football’s top individual award. Following the loss, Williams still had odds of -2000 at DraftKings.
At Saturday’s ceremony in New York City, Williams could become the first Trojans player in more than a decade to capture the Heisman. Williams has compiled 4,075 passing yards, 372 rushing yards, and 47 total touchdowns on the season. Another dual-threat quarterback, TCU’s Max Duggan, is the second choice at 12/1. TCU was selected Sunday for the College Football Playoff semifinals despite an overtime loss in the Big 12 Championship game to Kansas State. Two other Heisman contenders, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker and Michigan’s Blake Corum, have seen their chances fade due to season-ending injuries.
Sunday, December 11
Eagles look to gain separation in tough NFC East
The Eagles crushed the Titans 35-10 in Week 13 to improve their NFL-best record to 11-1. Philadelphia leads Minnesota by one game for the top seed in the NFC and holds a two–game lead over Dallas in the NFC East. Jalen Hurts threw for a career-high 380 yards in the win over Tennessee, becoming the 16th player since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to throw for 300+ yards, three passing touchdowns, and rush for a touchdown in a single game.
Following a Week 10 loss to the Commanders, the Eagles’ lead over the Giants shrank to one game at the time. Since then, the Giants have gone 0-2-1, including a 20-20 tie to Washington in Week 13. The Eagles travel to the Meadowlands on Sunday to face the Giants (7-4-1). Although the Giants have a remote chance of winning the division, they would still earn a wild card berth if the playoffs began today. The Eagles are 6.5-point favorites at Caesars Sportsbook, where the total is 44.5.
The @Eagles recorded 350 rush yards last week and then 350 pass yards this week.
They became the 3rd team since yards were first tracked in 1933 to record 350 rush yards one week and then 350 pass yards the next week, or in vice versa order.
h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/kZGON3q2Ah
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 4, 2022
Key injuries and lineup uncertainties heading into Week 14:
- Lamar Jackson left Sunday’s win over the Broncos with a knee injury. While the timing of Jackson’s return has yet to be determined, the Ravens do not believe the injury is season ending. Jackson is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, according to coach John Harbaugh. Jackson likely suffered a knee sprain in the victory, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported. The Ravens are a 1.5-point favorite to beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh this Sunday at SuperBook Sports, where the total is 38 points.
- 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a broken foot in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins and is expected to miss the rest of the season, according to coach Kyle Shanahan. Brock Purdy, Garoppolo’s replacement, went 25-of-37 for 210 yards in the victory. The 49ers are 3.5-point favorites over the Bucs at SI Sportsbook.
- Cowboys starting cornerback Anthony Brown suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Sunday’s win over the Colts, owner Jerry Jones said in a postgame interview. In the 54-19 win, the Cowboys scored 33 fourth-quarter points when the defense forced four turnovers. Brown could be replaced by C.J. Goodwin or DaRon Bland in the starting lineup. The Cowboys opened as 14-point favorites over the Texans, who have the league’s worst record at 1-10-1.
