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, June 14
Golden Knights open series against Canadiens
Winners of seven straight, the Montreal Canadiens are four games away from the Stanley Cup Finals. The Canadiens opened the playoffs at William Hill with odds of 50/1 to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. Only two teams, the Nashville Predators and the Winnipeg Jets, had steeper odds. The Canadiens are decisive underdogs in the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Vegas Golden Knights. In Monday night’s Game 1, the Golden Knights are -265 favorites at DraftKings. For the series, the Golden Knights are heavy -455 favorites.
Exact series result at DraftKings
- Golden Knights in 5 — +275
- Golden Knights in 4 — +375
- Golden Knights in 6 — +385
- Golden Knights in 7 — +525
- Canadiens in 7 — +900
- Canadiens in 6 — +1000
- Canadiens in 5 — +1700
- Canadiens in 4 — +3500
Tuesday, June 15
Irving injury status clouds Game 5 in Brooklyn
Ahead 2-0 in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Brooklyn Nets are suddenly tied at two games apiece in the Best-of-7 series. Even worse, the Nets lost All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving to a gruesome ankle injury in Sunday’s 107-96 defeat in Milwaukee. Now, the Bucks are slight -2.5 point favorites for Tuesday’s pivotal Game 5, with top books anticipating Irving’s absence. The Bucks are also -129 favorites to win the series at DraftKings over the Nets (+105). Oddly enough, the Nets are still listed as the favorites to win the NBA Championship, with odds of +260, ahead of the Jazz (+340), Suns (+375), Bucks (+460), and Sixers (+600).
How badly did Kyrie turn his ankle? This badly: pic.twitter.com/LSnnnDzjdA
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 13, 2021
Hearing on single-event sports betting in Canadian Senate
The clock is ticking in Canada on a bill that seeks to decriminalize single-event sports betting. A committee in the Canada Senate was scheduled to discuss the bill, C-218, last Thursday. Debate on the measure, however, was tabled during the session. While C-218 is expected to appear on Tuesday’s agenda, there is no guarantee that the bill will be read. The Senate only has several weeks to pass the measure before it adjourns for summer recess at the end of the month.
Heavyweight battle between France and Germany in Euro 2020 group stage
In a matchup typically reserved for the final of a major international tournament, France will meet Germany on Tuesday in a Euro 2020 Group F opening-round match. At BetMGM, France (+165) is a slight favorite over Germany (+180), with odds of +220 on a tie in regulation. BetMGM is also offering a litany of props on France star Kylian Mbappe for Wednesday’s showdown.
Mbappe props at BetMGM —
- Mbappe to outscore Germany — +650
- Mbappe to score in both halves — +1400
- Mbappe to score with a header — +1000
- Mbappe to score outside of the box — +1100
- Mbappe to receive a yellow card — +350
Thursday, June 17
Massachusetts sports betting hearing
With neighboring Connecticut aiming to roll out legalized sports betting this fall, the pressure has intensified on Massachusetts to consider the legalization of sports wagering. On Thursday, the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies will hear debate on a slew of sports betting-related measures in the state legislature. One bill, H. 70, filed by Gov. Charlie Baker, calls for sports wagering gross gaming revenues to be taxed at a rate of 10%.
Saturday, June 19
Women’s 100 meter finals at U.S. Olympic Trials
There will be nine finals over the weekend at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., including the women’s 100-meter final on Saturday night. U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson will attempt to produce the year’s fastest time in the 100 in Saturday night’s final. In April, Richardson was clocked in the 100 in 10.72 seconds, the sixth-fastest time by a women’s sprinter in history. On Sunday, sprinter Trayvon Bromell highlights a talented field in men’s 100-meter final. Bromell, who holds a world-leading time in the 100 of 9.77 seconds, could be tested by Fred Kerley and Justin Gatlin. More than 15 years after his first Olympic gold, Gatlin is bidding for his fourth trip to the Summer Olympic Games. Several states, most notably Colorado, are allowing wagers on the Tokyo Summer Olympics in July.
USATF broadcast partner NBC Sports Group announced a robust coverage schedule for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field, which take place June 18 – 27 in Eugene, Oregon.
NBC and NBCSN will provide coverage over eight nights, including six in primetime on NBC.
— USATF (@usatf) June 7, 2021
Sunday, June 20
Final round of U.S. Open at Torrey Pines
The public is clamoring for a pairing of Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka at this week’s U.S. Open. The USGA can whet their appetites by pairing the top golfers in Thursday’s opening round. Or, by happenstance, the U.S. golfers could be paired together for Sunday’s final round at Torrey Pines. A public spat between Koepka and DeChambeau on social media has injected energy into the third major of the year. Both golfers are currently the co-third choice at SuperBook Sports (16/1), behind Jon Rahm (10/1) and Dustin Johnson (14/1). Rahm emerged out of quarantine over the weekend after testing positive for COVID-19 during The Memorial Tournament earlier this month. At the time, Rahm tied the tournament’s 54-hole record at 18-under par. The Spanish golfer also held a six-shot lead over the field. Coming off a historic win in the PGA Championship, Phil Mickelson has odds of 60/1 to win an elusive U.S. Open. Mickelson, a six-time runner-up at the U.S. Open, was born in San Diego and considers Torrey Pines as his home course.
@BKoepka It’s nice to be living rent free in your head!
— Bryson DeChambeau (@b_dechambeau) May 26, 2021
