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 21
Pressure building to pass single-event sports betting bill in Canada
The clock is ticking in the Canadian Parliament to approve a bill on single-game sports betting. The Senate of Canada adjourned last week without taking a vote on C-218, a bill that seeks to decriminalize sports wagering on single games. Parlay wagering is permissible in Canada, but on a limited basis. The third reading of C-218 is scheduled to resume on Monday with debate centered on an amendment that would allow an Indigenous government body or entity to offer a lottery scheme for sports wagering. Private member bills in Canada, such as C-218, must pass through three readings in the House and Senate before receiving royal assent. The Senate is scheduled to meet Wednesday for the last sitting day of the session, but can add an emergency session Friday, if necessary. Proponents of sports betting are pressing members of Parliament to approve a bill before the summer recess begins at the end of June. If Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dissolves Parliament later this year for an early election, the process to legalize single-event sports betting will likely return to square one.
Today's 🇨🇦SenateSitting begins at 2pm ET (Bill C-218) Its crunchtime, the senate deadline is this Friday Lets get this thing done.
Tune-in to the best livechat/discussion online if you enjoy Senate process & long speeches🤣https://t.co/Gm9EIsR7O8#BillC218 #C218 $SCR $DKNG $PENN— /r/gamblingstocks (@gamblingstocks) June 21, 2021
More clues on sports betting rollout at Arizona stakeholder meeting
Last week, more than 90 sports betting stakeholders took part in a meeting convened by the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG), as state gaming officials continue to draft regulations on sports wagering before September’s proposed launch. The ADG will hold a second meeting Monday afternoon. Meetings on daily fantasy sports regulations were held June 18 and Monday morning. At Friday’s meeting, the ADG announced that there will be a second public-comment period amid concerns that the initial window for comment was too short. The department is targeting a goal of mid-July for the issuance of revised regulations, with a planned Sept. 9 go-live date on the opening night of the NFL regular season.
College World Series continues in Omaha
Two games are on the College World Series slate in Omaha, including a winner’s bracket matchup between 4-seed Vanderbilt and N.C. State. The Commodores pack an imposing 1-2 punch with All-American starting pitchers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter. On Saturday, Vandy escaped with a 7-6 victory over 5-seed Arizona in 12 innings. Leiter, the son of former New York Mets pitcher Al Leiter, will be on the mound in Omaha. Vandy is a -215 favorite on the moneyline, with the total set at 9.5 runs. Arizona is a -142 favorite over 9-seed Stanford in the opener. The top remaining seeds, 2-seed Texas and 3-seed Tennessee, both lost on Sunday. N.C. State eliminated top-seed Arkansas in the Super Regionals. Few books are offering College World Series futures at the moment, but several have single-game odds on nightly matchups.
Jack Leiter's 'surreal' baseball rise is all dad can ask for https://t.co/3SIPoVnXQF via @nypostsports
— Daniel Patrick Forrester (@DPForrester) June 21, 2021
Tuesday, June 22
Booker looks to follow up 40-point effort in Game 2
The NBA Western Conference Finals began Sunday with both the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers depleted. Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul missed Game 1 of the highly anticipated series. Without Paul, Suns guard Devin Booker picked up the slack with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in the 120-114 win over the Clippers. Booker, a top choice at numerous books to win NBA Finals MVP, notched the first triple-double of his NBA career. In Leonard’s absence, Paul George poured in 34 points while hitting the 30-point mark before the end of the third quarter. Leonard has been out indefinitely since suffering a knee strain in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz. Keep an eye on the over in Tuesday night’s Game 2. The teams combined for 111 points in the first half of Sunday’s series opener. At FanDuel, the over (-110) for the matchup is 224.5 points.
One bettor at @BorgataSports had $110,000 on Suns-Clippers 1H Under 112.
Suns lead 57-54 at half.
Quite the sweat.
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) June 20, 2021
Wednesday, June 23
Bucks open as decisive favorites over Hawks in ECF
Left for dead three weeks ago after trailing the Brooklyn Nets 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Milwaukee Bucks roared back to win that series in seven. After eliminating the Nets in a thrilling overtime win Saturday, the Bucks will host the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday. By knocking out the Nets, the consensus favorites to win the NBA Championship, the Bucks have now emerged as the top choice to win the title. Of the four teams remaining, the Hawks (11/1) are the only ones left with double-digits odds to capture the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Beset by a rash of injuries early in the season, the Hawks odds ballooned in February to 200/1. One bettor at DraftKings will win $2.02 million if the Hawks lift the trophy, while another at BetMGM will also take home a seven-figure payout. Even last Saturday, Atlanta still had odds of 30/1 to win the championship. The Bucks are -315 moneyline favorites to win Wednesday’s Game 1 and are -480 favorites to defeat the Hawks in the series.
NBA Championship Odds at DraftKings
- Bucks — +100
- Suns — +140
- Clippers — +800
- Hawks — +1100
Stanley Cup Finals spot on the line in Long Island
Regardless of Monday night’s outcome in Game 5 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference Finals, one team could advance to the Stanley Cup Finals with a victory in Wednesday’s Game 6. Trailing 2-1 in the series on Saturday, New York Islanders’ defenseman Ryan Pulock arguably made the save of the NHL Playoffs by deflecting a near goal from Ryan McDonagh. With Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov out of the crease to contest McDonagh’s backhanded attempt, Pulock blocked the last-second shot for a 3-2 victory. The astounding save clinched an Isles’ victory and evened their Best-of-Seven series against the Tampa Bay Lightning at two games each. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Lightning are still heavy -220 favorites at PointsBet to win the series.
Ryan Pulock's miraculous save epitomizes Islanders' identity https://t.co/7WWkCONajg pic.twitter.com/XtzYKRNtoQ
— New York Post (@nypost) June 20, 2021
